By Our Reporter
Member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, has commended Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra state, for the recent constitution of a Commission of Enquiry to address the Ogwuaniocha crisis, in Ogbaru local government area.
Over 5,000 residents of Ogwuaniocha community were displaced from both their homes and farmlands by criminal gangs who have taken over the community and its environs since the communal crisis started some years back, leading to untold hardship and increased criminality in the LGA.
Hon. Ogene who has consistently called on the Anambra state government to make deliberate efforts to end the communal conflict in Ogwuaniocha community which had led to the abduction of the traditional ruler – who is yet to be accounted for since November 15, 2021 – made this commendation in a statement in Awka, the Anambra state capital on Sunday.
The lawmaker said that this move has the potential of reducing the incidents of violent crimes and other criminality in Ogbaru and Anambra state in general. He also called on all concerned to embrace this development and seek sustainable reconciliation for the overall peace and development of Ogwuaniocha and Ogbaruland.
The panel which was inaugurated on Friday October 4, 2024, is made up of 13 members and has Hon. Justice C. E. K Anigbogu, Rtd as Chairman and Professor Felicia Anyogu as Secretary.
Other members include, Patricia Igwebuike Esq,
Gen. Laz Iloh, Rtd,
Monsignor Theo Odukwe,
Ven. Dr. Chinedu Nnatunya,
Prof. Ikenna Alumona,
Mr. Benjamin Uzoka,
Chief Emma Obi,
HRH Victor Awogu, Prof. Ikem Ivite Nwadigwe, Comrade Emeka Okoye-Ozo and Prof. Charles Ofoegbu.
According to a document released by the office of the Secretary to the State Government and signed by Justice Anigbogu, the Commission has requested for memoranda from intrested parties, informing the panel what they know about the crisis in the community, to assist the panel in facilitating reconciliation in Ogwuaniocha community.
The document also revealed that oral evidence would be entertained when the panel commences sitting after the collation of memoranda.
Ogene, who is also the leader of the Anambra state Caucus in the House of Representatives, had earlier this year in February and April appealed to the Anambra state government to set up a panel of inquiry to address the violent conflict and bring an end to the years of lawlessness, fear, reprisal killings and criminality in the community.
He had noted that since 2021, there has been no progressive social or economic activities in the community as a result of the intractable crisis.
At one time, Ogene had in a viral video lamented that the Anambra state government, since the last administration of Chief Willie Obiano, treated the crisis in the oil rich community with unexplainable disdain, in spite of the fact that the community produces the mass of oil revenue that the state is currently enjoying as an oil producing state.
The lawmaker, who is the Chairman of House Committee on Renewable Energy, also, in the video, disclosed that he had earlier in February, written to the state governor, drawing his attention to the lingering crisis which has led to the sacking of the over 5,000 residents of the community from both their homes and farmlands, by criminal gangs who have now taken over Ogwuaniocha and its environs, leading to untold hardship and increased criminality in the local government area.
Ogene’s earlier letter to Soludo, which he accused the governor of ignoring at the time was entitled: “Urgent need for government intervention in the lingering crisis in Ogwuaniocha community in Ogbaru LGA: A request for panel of inquiry.”
The letter read in part: ” I write to draw the attention of Your Excellency and the state government to the lingering violent crisis in Ogwuaniocha, in Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Anambra state, which has unfortunately led to the sacking of the entire community from both their residences and farmlands, as a result of the activities of criminal gangs who have taken over the community.
“Note, Your Excellency, that Ogwuaniocha is an oil bearing community, (contributing over 20,000 barrels of crude oil per day), which earned the state its oil producing status, and thus, deserves to be protected from the devices of agents of destruction, essentially, as the security of lives and property is the primary purpose of government.”
Ogene had also sponsored a motion in the House of Representatives, calling attention of the nation to the devastation in the community and the dire living conditions of the displaced residents and requested for relief materials, which was later granted by government through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).