–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –From Michael EKOKORUWE/ Warri:

THE people of Okpokunou community of Burutu local government area of Delta State, have been urged to sustain the existing peace in the area as the crisis between Okpokunou community and the Pere of Seimbiri kingdom, HRM Charles Ayemi–Botu (JP) will soon be resolved.

The Special Adviser to Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State, on peace building and conflict resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor, made the appeal during the peace meeting over the conflict between the people of Okpokunou and the monarch of Seimbiri kingdom, HRM Charles Ayemi–Botu at the Delta State Government House Annex Warri, Delta State.

“I plead with the people of Okpokunou that let there be peace, let nobody make trouble till we meet again to finally resolve the conflict, go about your normal business and let the chairman continue to rule the community. Nobody should chase residents of the community away till we meet again please”, Uzor said.

Uzor further stated, “Okpokunou is a good community as we usually record the highest votes from the area during elections, we don’t want to toil with the community please. Your majesty, you will be comfortable and let the chairman and others maintain peace, I plead with everybody, I will read all the papers presented and shortly convey another meeting”.

The special adviser maintained that he will personally visit Okpokunou community to ascertain the level of properties destroyed. He assured the people that government is on top of the situation and will soon resolve the crisis amicably.

He cautioned the community chairman to ensure the people live in peace and should not send any member of the community to exile, adding that government is aware of the properties destroyed, even as the local government chairman, Hon. Godknows Angele has been investigating the root cause of the conflict in the area.

Uzor restated that “what government is looking for is peace” and urged the people not to resort to court for judgement alone as most crisis ends in dialogue.

On his part Hon. Godknows Angele urged the community chairman and committee members not to oppress and neither threaten anybody, adding that when there is breach of peace, the security agencies should be contacted for immediate response.