The Benue State Government has said it will adopt the carrot-and-stick method to resolve boundary disputes in the state.
Governor Alia disclosed this on Saturday during the demarcation of the boundary between the warring communities of Bonta and Ukpute in Konshisha and Oju Local Government Areas of the state.
He was represented by his deputy, Sam Ode, who urged the youths of both communities to sheathe their swords and embrace peace in order to become useful to themselves and society.
Ode, who is also the Chairman of the Benue State Boundary Commission, said he is committed to ensuring peace reigns in the state.
“As the Chairman of the Boundary Commission, I have no personal interest other than the peace we hope to achieve. My role is to bring peace to the entire territory called Benue State,” he said.
“A carrot-and-stick approach will be adopted in the demarcation exercise. Ultimately, what the state wants is peace. We don’t want to resort to force, and force is the last option. I hope it doesn’t come to the use of force,” he added.
He appealed to all parties to embrace peace, noting that if there is no peace, people will not come to the state for business and the funds meant for development will be diverted to tackling security challenges.
Ode further said the urgent need to engage the youths of the state meaningfully for the benefit of the communities.
He requested a list of unemployed youths from the communities in order to engage them in productive endeavors, warning that anyone found wanting would be handed over to security agencies.
Ode commended the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD) team for their efforts in resolving the crisis between the two communities and expressed appreciation to the traditional rulers and other stakeholders for their contributions to ensuring peace and unity among the people.
“Your peace-building strategies are vital and should be adopted in other situations in the state and beyond, as witnessed in Agatu Local Government,” he added.
In his remarks, the Benue State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Aondowase Kunde, and elder statesman Engineer Okpe Onah, expressed appreciation to the deputy governor for the laudable steps in peacebuilding between the neighboring communities.
They described the demarcation as an epoch-making event and appealed for unity among the people to attract development to the areas.
The Caretaker Chairman of Konshisha Local Government, Philip Achuah, and his counterpart from Oju, Ire Arubi, represented by the Vice Chairman, Monday Angwa, expressed optimism that the Deputy Governor’s presence would mark the end of hostility between the Bonta and Ukpute communities.