Anglican Church demolition: Gov Obiano appeals to feuding parties

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Gov Willie Obiano has assured all the feuding parties in the crisis over the recent demolition of a parish of the Anglican Church in Nkwelle Ezunaka, of a dispassionate settlement.

Governor Willie Obiano acknowledging cheers during the LGA TourThe assurance was made when the Special committee set up by the state government to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the conflict that greeted the church building demolition submitted its report.

Crisis erupted between the Anglican Diocese on the Niger and a section of the Nkwelle Ezunaka community over the Oyolu-Oze Primary School building which resulted in its unilateral demolition, allegedly by some natives of the community.

The submission of the report has therefore raised hopes of resolution of the crisis and to arrest it from escalating further. Hundreds of parishioners had carried out a protest match round the city of Onitsha, chanting songs denouncing the church building demolition.

The governor was accused of taking sides when he visited the school site on Friday August 15, 2014 as he was said to have listened to only the community without bothering to hear out the church members.

There were therefore heightened fears that such action might have foreclosed the likely outcome of the report of the six-man committee headed by the Deputy Governor of the state Dr. Nkem Okeke that looked into the matter.

However, the governor, during presentation of the report assured all the parties to the dispute of a fair and dispassionate implementation of the recommendations of the committee. According to him, ?I can see the volume of the report and I believe it shows the effort you put into the assignment. I wish to assure you that I will study the recommendations of the Committee and ensure prompt implementation in a manner that will ensure justice and fairness to all parties.?

The Chairman of the committee, Dr. Okeke who was represented by the Chief-of-Staff, Professor Joe Asike recalled that the Committee was given two weeks to conclude its investigations and submit its recommendation, adding that members painstakingly devoted their time to meet the deadline.

He pointed out that the Committee took time to listen to all parties in the dispute and examine all documentary evidence and narratives pertaining to the disputed property without fear or favour.

He thanked all the parties for their co-operation in turning up to testify that helped them make recommendations.

chuks collins

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