In the wake of renewed tensions over land ownership disputes between Odimodi and Ogulagha communities in the Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State, a prominent Niger Delta development advocate, Prince Dr. Peretengboro Klintin Bibaikefie, has called for unity and collaboration to transform the area into a thriving hub of international repute.

Speaking in a telephone interview with IduwiniVoice News, he expressed deep concern over the situation, urging both communities to prioritize progress and development over conflict.

The dispute resurfaced following publications and counter-publications by both communities. 

Ogulagha community, in a newspaper advertorial published in The Pointer Newspaper on November 1, 2024, accused Odimodi of disregarding ongoing court proceedings by attempting to install solar lights and construct roads in Beniboye and Isiayegbene. 

These areas, they claim, are part of Ogulagha Kingdom, located within the contentious “Okuntu lands” currently disputed in a competent court of jurisdiction.

In response, Odimodi community had in a November 22, 2024 Vanguard publication, argued that the matter of Beniboye and Isiayegbene lands, otherwise termed “Beniboye lands”, had already been settled in their favour through four unchallenged court judgments, the first dating back to 1966, with the most recent delivered in November 2023. 

They also argued that assuming, but not conceding that Ogulagha Kingdom, Ogulagha Community and their agents had any case at all, there were no court injunctions preventing the development of the said communities. 

They also cited the proposal document for the creation of Toru-ibe State, which, according to them, lists Beniboye and Isiayegbene as part of Odimodi territory and never as communities in Ogulagha territory. 

This document, they claim, was dully signed by key figures, including the very distinguished HRM. Pere Joseph I. Timiyan (PhD.), JP, the Ibezinawei of Ogulagha Kingdom, who currently doubles as Chairman of the Delta Ijaw Traditional Rulers Council, and HRM. Pere Bosu Dio (JP), Ayamabulou-1, the Ibenanawei of Iduwini Kingdom.

"As far as God Almighty, natural justice, and the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are concerned, that land so sought after, belongs to Odimodi people. We are brothers, let's maintain our relationship, communal boundaries, and share in love and peace whenever the need arises," a leader of Odimodi who pleaded ananimity was quoted to have averred.

Reacting to the palpable tensions, Bibaikefie described the situation as "unpalatable and unwarranted amongst Ijaws."  as he emphasized the close proximity between the communities in the “disputed” areas, questioning the basis for conflict.

“The distance between Okuntu, the boundary community in Ogulagha Kingdom, and Isiayegbene in Iduwini Kingdom (both on the Atlantic Shore), are very closely located with a well established boundary.

I therefore believe that there's no tangible activity that will happen offshore Okuntu without Isiayegbene being eligible, and vice versa. Why all these acrimonies between brothers? Why can't we maintain our sanity and known boundaries, and share like brothers whenever beneficial goods happen within these boundaries?” he queried.

Dr. Bibaikefie stressed the urgent need for unity to foster development across the region. 

"We are at the lowest helm of development in Delta State and Nigeria, and must therefore work together to build from Ogulagha to Burutu, down to Okibou and back to Ogulagha, to a beautiful coastal city like Lagos, Accra, Cape Town, or Florida," he admonished.

He further envisioned a twin city stretching from Sokebolou to Ogidigben, Krutie, and Yeye, and back to Sokebolou, describing it as achievable if Ijaw communities set aside their differences and focus on high-end targets.

"We claim to produce all the oil in the world but have no road access from the nearest Warri city to our hometowns, no tertiary educational facilities, no industrial parks/hubs, no industrial scale fishing and fish processing hubs, nothing.

And we salivate over unfulfilled promises year in, year out. People with no oil drop in their communities have been producing commissioners and ministers of petroleum resources, we have neither protested nor challenged the state or federal governments for on those, but we will go to any length to stop ourselves from getting a bottle of water," he lamented.

Dr. Bibaikefie also criticized the lack of interest of these communities regarding the accountability issues surrounding the management of 13% derivation funds. 

"We hear accusations of wanthom embezzlement of 13% derivation funds meant to develop our oil-bearing communities, government after government. No petitions, no protests, no legal actions have ever been initiated by us. Yet, every day, communal war merchants amongst us keep throwing up one spurious issue within and amongst neighboring communities," he lamented.

He urged the communities to shift their focus from conflict to self-driven empowerment, highlighting the successes of prominent Ijaw figures in the Oil industry and beyond. 

"Who amongst us owns an oil-producing, oil-drilling, oil-lifting, or refining company? When illustrious Ijaw sons like Tompolo, Matthew, Azikel, Kestin, Waylace, Belema Oil, Dokubo, etc., are making daily efforts to put Ijaw Nation on the map of Africa and beyond, we still wallow in our self-consummation as so-called 'oil-producing communities,' creating communal crises for the poor amongst us to suffer. How soon have we forgotten the bloody 2001 crisis that claimed promising lives and chattered families?" he again queried.

Bibaikefie called on respected leaders from Odimodi and Ogulagha, as well as influential figures like Tompolo, Pa. E.K. Clark, the Burutu Local Government Chairman, and the Delta State Governor to intervene and resolve the century-long dispute permanently.

"We must find a solution to this centenary communal dispute over land ownership. Our focus should be on progress, not on unnecessary conflicts that hinder the growth of the Ijaw Nation," he urged.

These Oil bearing Niger Delta communities now stand at a crossroads, with the hope that leaders will heed Dr. Bibaikefie's call for peace and unity to realize the region's immense potential.

© IduwiniVoice

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