The Delta State government has given a stern warning to warring parties over the ownership of Ogbe-Ijoh market, stressing that all levies and buildings of any kind should stop forthwith.
The governor gave the directive through the secretary to the State, SSG, Ovie Agas who represented Governor Okowa during the meeting.
The SSG, said there was no need to fight over lands because such constitutionally belong to the state.
However, the state government advised the warring parties to abide by an earlier agreement, which was midwifed by the Commander of the Warri Area Command of the Delta State Police Command, Mohammed Muazu, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP).
He said: “This agreement signed prior to now should be strictly adhered to; no temporary or permanent structures should be built in the market until the matter is resolved. Levies or taxes or whatever name you call any money being demanded, should be stopped until the government takes a position on this matter…”
Gbaramatu Voice Newspaper learnt that two weeks ago, there was a threat to peace in the market when youths from Agbasa community (Urhobo) and those from Ogbe-Ijoh community (Ijaw) engaged in a gun duel over the ownership of the market and levy collection.
But at a peace meeting at the weekend convened by the government and the police to mediate between the warring sides, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa urged both sides to embrace peace.
The governor said his administration would be able to provide the enabling environment for growth and development when the people embraced peace while pledging to give adequate attention to the market crisis.
Under the pact, both parties promised to desist from levy collection and building of new structures to avoid breakdown of law and order
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