Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has inaugurated a three-man Judicial Commission of Inquiry to proffer lasting solutions to the Ibabu/Iselegu communal crisis.

Inaugurating the commission yesterday in Asaba, Uduaghan charged communities in the state to always explore avenues of dialogue in resolving issues rather than engaging in warfare.

“I appeal to communities to explore all available means of dialogue to settle their differences because communal crisis is inimical to orderly development and also create image problem for the state,” he said.

Communal crisis, he noted, “contributes to frustration and disenchantment experienced by members of the society. Economically, it can scare potential investors and relocation of existing industries in our communities to other states thereby creating avoidable problem.”

The Governor listed the terms of reference of the commission as: “Determine the remote and immediate cause or causes of the civil disturbances between the Iselegu and Ibabu communities in Ndokwa East and West local government areas respectively, sometime in June 2014.

“Determine those persons or institutions responsible for the disturbance in Iselegu and Ibabu communities, identify those who suffered injury to their persons and the nature of injury, those who lost their lives; and the extent of destruction of properties and those whose properties were destroyed during the disturbances.”

Other terms of reference of the commission are: “Investigate any other matter incidental or relevant to the terms of reference, which in the Commission’s view should be investigated to ascertain the true facts, make appropriate recommendations, including immediate measures to be taken by government and or the communities for the sustenance of peaceful co-existence in the communities and to prevent future crisis or disturbance in the area.”

Dr. Uduaghan gave the commission one month within which to submit an interim report. He described the members as “distinguished Deltans with proven integrity and it is my expectation and that of our people that they will handle this responsibility with due diligence, impartiality, transparency and fairness to all sides.”

The commission has Hon. Justice Barbara Molokwu (rtd) as chairman with Mr. Enie Otrofanowei and Surveyor Dickson Akpoghene as members while Mr. Anthony Abuah will serve as Secretary.

Responding on behalf of members of the Commission, the chairman assured Deltans that they would “dutifully, diligently, treat with dispatch this matter that has reoccurred despite efforts to arrest it.” She stressed that “peace is very important to the development of the society.”

•Photo shows Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State (2nd Left); Hon. Justice Barbra Molokwu, (2nd Right); Mr. Enie Otrofanowei, (right) and Surv. Dickson Akpoghene, during the inauguration of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Iselegu/Ibabu communal crisis . . . yesterday in Asaba.

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