By Steve Oni, Ilorin
The National Boundary Commission on Friday submitted its preliminary report on Share and Tsaragi communities’ inter- government boundary dispute resolution just as the Kwara State Government promised to continue to work to ensure sustainable peaceful coexistence and brotherhood among various communities in the state.
Receiving the report, the State Deputy Governor, Mr Kayode Alabi, charged communities in the state to be conscious of the fact that development could only be achieved in peaceful atmosphere.
Mr Alabi who is the Chairman of the State Boundary Commission stressed that developmental efforts could only come to fruition when there is peace and cooperation from the different segments of the people.
The Deputy Governor commended the Boundary Commission, Etsu Tsaragi; Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi Ndakpotwa, Balogun of Share; Alhaji Zubair Olayiwola, and other stakeholders for demonstrating uncommon cooperation towards ensuring sustainable peace and stability in the affected communities.
He expressed optimism that government would carefully study the recommendations contained in the report.
“For proper appreciation of the issue at hand, let me intimate you, our distinguished guests, that the boundary dispute between Share and Tsaragi started over four decades ago with various interventions by previous administrations in the State to promote peaceful coexistence. Numerous efforts have been made by the Kwara State Government to find amicable solution to the dispute between the two communities. Such efforts included the constitution of Administrative Panel of Enquiry, Judicial Commission of Enquiry and Implementation/Reconciliation Committees, among others, with a singular purpose of finding a lasting solution to the crisis”, Alabi emphasised.
The Deputy Governor stated further that “it was on that premise that your Commission, which is responsible for boundary management in our country, was requested to intervene in the Share/Tsaragi boundary conflict some years ago. To this effect, officials from your Commission visited the two communities in 2017 to conduct an ethnographic study in the affected communities and a comprehensive field tracing and provisional demarcation of the claim lines. The report of the above exercise was what the State Government has been awaiting and we thank God that we are receiving the report today — thanks to the efforts of your Commission.”
He noted that the boundary dispute had been before the coming of this administration, adding that it was also known that the previous administration had Intervened to promote peaceful coexistence which included constitution of administrative panels of enquiry, judicial commission of enquiry and implementation/reconciliation committees among others.
Mr Alabi appreciated the Boundary Commission for their intervention in resolving the Share/Tsaragi boundary conflict of which the commission’s officials conducted an ethnographic study, comprehensive field tracing and provisional demarcation of the claim lines in the affected communities.
He said: “It is on this note that I sincerely appreciate and thank the Ag. Director General of National Boundary Commission and his team for taking time to come up with this report which, God willing and with the cooperation of all, will bring permanent solution to the disputed land between the two communities.”
Mr Alabi commended the exceptional and untiring efforts of Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq in ensuring peaceful co-existence in the state.
The Acting Director General of the Boundary Commission, Surveyor Adamu Adaji said the Commission carried out thorough research and visited various locations within and outside the two affected communities to collect information and data.
Surveyor Adaji stated that the Commission had demarcated the affected areas and expressed the hope that the report would put to permanent rest the crisis to pave way for development in the two communities.
Also speaking, the State Surveyor General, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed appealed for calm from the two communities, urging them to allow the government time to study the report.
In his response, the Makama of Tsaragi Community, Alhaji Buhari Mohammed thanked God for the success of the exercise and commended the Commission for its unbiased role.
Alhaji Buhari expressed satisfaction with the report with a pledge that the two communities would continue to leave peacefully.
The President of Share Descendants Union, Elder Gabriel Jimoh went down memory lane on the history of the two communities.
Elder Jimoh said the Commission had promised to hold a stakeholders meeting where they are expected to express their views, this, he explained, was not followed.
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