Indigenes of Bomadi have kicked against the proposed public hearing on the inclusion of Bayelsa community; Ayamasa II in Delta State, stressing the decision was not in the collective interest of the community.
The Bomadi Legislative Assembly had earlier slated Wednesday 25th October, 2023 for a public hearing on the inclusion of Ayamasa II, a portion of land belonging to Ayamasa community in Bayelsa state, which situates on the Delta State axis of the Bolou-toru River, the boundary between Delta and Bayelsa states.
Reacting to the proposed public hearing, indigenes of Bomadi vehemently kicked against the decision in a protest on the streets of the council headquarters, Tuesday, stressing the decision of council was taken without proper consultations, as there are ongoing land disputes between families of both communities.
The protesters carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Bomadi federated community says No to the proposed public hearing of Ayamasa II creation by the Bomadi local government council”, the proposed inclusion of Ayamasa II to Bomadi LGA will create more communal conflicts” among others.
The Chairman, Bomadi federated community, Barr. Possibility Teibogiren, presenting the community’s position during the protest comprising women, youths and the community leadership, which ended at the Bomadi Council Secretariat, said: “We are calling on the executive chairman of Council, Hon. William Angadi, to put on hold the proposed public hearing because there are ongoing litigations between Bomadi and Ayamasa community in Bayelsa State, which are pending at the Bomadi High Court.
“We also want to know the actual location of the said Ayamasa II community, as we do not see in sight any existing community in the said location. Our neighbouring Ayamasa community have been disturbing us with land issues and without proper settling of such issues, there will be crisis if the said Ayamasa II is created without our knowledge and support.
“So, we’re using this medium to call on the council chairman and the leader of the legislative arm to put on hold the proposed hearing slated for tomorrow”.
In the same vein, the president, Supreme Olou Congress, the law-making arm of the community government, Barr Dennis Alade, said: “We heard there is a planned creation of an additional community in Bomadi local government area. We are here to say that, the so-called Ayamasa II is a forest without inhabitants.
“Apart from that, there are court cases between families of Bomadi and Ayamasa communities, we have land disputes bordering on the same land pending at the high court.
“We’re not against creation of any community and we equally know that the council chairman is a peace-loving man. Our concerns are that Bomadi and Ayamasa have land cases pending in court and if those cases are not properly handled, there could be crisis resulting from same issues.
“So, what we are saying in essence is that, allow the court to decide on these pending cases and the proposed public hearing be put on hold for now”.
In her response, the vice chairperson, Bomadi local government council, Hon. Flora Bripu, thanked them for their peaceful disposition and promised to relay their message to the chairman as soon as possible, who was out of office at the time of the peaceful protest.
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