By Abah Nnanna
The Coordinator of Effium Development Centre, Sunday Agbo has sent a strong appeal to warring communities in Ebonyi State, especially Effium autonomous communities and other communities experiencing crisis to embrace the state government peace initiative for lasting peace in their areas.
Sunday Agbo made the appeal while fielding questions from reporters in Abakaliki on the effort of stakeholders from the areas to compliment the state government’s in ensuring the return of peace in Effium autonomous community of the state.
According to Agbo, who decried the extent at which lives and properties belonging to the residents of the area were wasted to the avoidable crisis, appealed to the people of Effium and Ezza-Effium to embrace every peace initiative by the Umahi-led administration.
“I must commend the governor of Ebonyi State without mincing words on his concerted effort to ensure that Effium regains its glory. We regret the eruption of the intra-communal crisis in Effium autonomous between the people of Effium and Ezza-Effium.
“I solemnly call on both parties to sheath their swords and rely on the peace initiative by the state government. It is obvious that since the eruption of the ill-fated crisis on January, 22nd 2021 , there is no right thinking member of the community that has been in his/her right frame of mind.
“I strongly appeal to my people of Effium autonomous community to keep faith high in the prowess of the state government to ensure the full resolution of the crisis. Nobody is happy with the state of the community.
“But one thing I have never lose sight of is that this administration is built on divine mandate . Though trials and temptation will come, we shall overcome it. I want to again thank His Excellency, Engr David Nweze Umahi for his wisdom in tackling all the crisis in Ebonyi State. Your Excellency, you shall come out of this stronger and happier.
“Apart from the troops and other security agencies drafted to Effium, the governor had also procured motorcycles to assist the security personnel to access hinterlands. This initiative is novel of its kind. And I want to salute the governor for taking such step, while I assure him that his efforts shall not be in vain’, Agbo assured.
It would be recalled that Effium autonomous community was plunged into crisis since January 22nd with scores of lives and properties worth billions of Naira destroyed to it. The crisis was said to have emanated from leadership tussle which rocked the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the community.