By CHARLES IWUOHA

Peace Agreement made by Ebony State Government for the settlement of the land dispute between Amasiri in Afikpo and Edda Local Government Areas have been signed by the two parties.

The State Commissioner for Border-Peace and Conflict Resolution, Professor Paul Nwobasi, made this known shortly after presenting the peace agreement papers to Leaders and Youths from the two parties during a peace meeting held at Old Government House, Abakaliki, recently.

In view of the findings on the lingering land dispute between Amasiri and Edda people in Afikpo and Edda Local Government Areas, the State Government has waded into the crisis through the Ministry of Border-Peace and Conflict Resolution to bring lasting solution for permanent peace to reign in the affected areas.

Professor Nwobasi who revealed that mediation and inspection of the disputed areas has commenced, disclosed that the two parties have mutually agreed to halt all forms of hostility and attack against one another for lasting peace to be restored by the State Government.

The commissioner maintained that any party or group of persons or individuals that violate the peace agreement would be answerable to the laws of Ebonyi State and Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In their acceptance speeches shortly after signing the peace agreement papers, the Traditional Ruler from Edda, Eze Charles Azuenya and his counterpart from Amasiri, Eze Onya Bassey-Idam agreed to prevail on their warriors to lay down their arms to enable the State Government wade into the crisis with the aim of resolving the land dispute amicably.

Speaking on behalf of youths from the two parties, Hon. Maduka Amadi from Amasiri & Comrade Nwachi Okoro Ibe jointly agreed to stop all forms of hostilities and to cooperate with the Ministry and State Government in their efforts to bring a lasting peace to the trouble ridden areas.

Meanwhile, both parties have agreed that the Ministry of Border-Peace and Conflict Resolution alongside with the Office of Surveyor General of Ebonyi State should propose and demarcate the land in dispute between Amasiri and Edda.

To this end, community leaders from the two parties who attended the peace agreement meeting include, government appointees, stakeholders, town union leaders, traditional rulers, youth's and among others.

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