Glimmers of hope for a return of peace in a critical section of Ogoniland floated in at the weekend as the Chairman of Khana Local Government Area in Rivers State, Nigeria, Dr Thomas Bariere made deft moves to reconcile Boue Uegwere and Yeghe Communities.

Boue Uegwere Community is in Babbe District of Khana LGA while Yeghe Community spreads across both Khana and Gokana LGAs of the State.

At a town hall meeting held on Sunday, July 3, 2022 at the Uegwere Town Square with Chiefs, Clergymen and other major stakeholders of Uegwere Boue of Babbe District in Khana LGA in attendance, Dr Bariere expressed gratitude to the people of Uegwere for upholding the memorandum of understanding between them and Yeghe Community over a disputed farmland.

The Khana LGA Chief Executive, who utilized the opportunity to intimate the people on the resolutions and position of government bordering on the dispute over boundaries between them and their neighbours, Yeghe Community, noted that such posture was key to charting a new course geared towards sustaining the already existing peace between both communities.

He thanked the people for their contributions to collective achievements of peace in the LGA within the one year of his administration, assuring that both governments of Khana and Gokana having received the reports from the joint peace committee will meet within the week with representatives of both communities and other stakeholders for an on-the-spot assessment of the farmland under contention, after which a resolution will be arrived at by the leadership of both LGAs.

Dr Bariere called on the people to engender an atmosphere of peace to thrive in the area and remain law abiding, stressing that the fear of God, unity and love were critical ingredients for peace to thrive among them.

“This gathering is expected to address issues dealing with character formation and moulding, the need for moral uprightness and the fear of God. We must allow unity, peace and love to resonate in our lives on daily basis while obedience to rule of law and commitment to our Dear Khana LGA remains sacrosanct.”

He assured them that the infrastructural development of the area was of utmost importance to his administration, announcing that he has approved the construction of a drainage system for the people of Uegwere to reduce the issues of flooding affecting some parts of the community following an appeal made by the community leadership.