The Ekiti State Government has waded into the land dispute between the Eyemote Comprehensive High School, Iyin Ekiti and Asalu family in a bid to broker truce.
Ekiti News reported that the State Government has directed the Boundary Technical Committee to visit the town for proper demarcation of the disputed land.
Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, the Ekiti State Deputy Governor gave the directive on Tuesday, while interfacing with some critical stakeholders in Ado Ekiti.
This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on Media, Victor Ogunje.
Chief (Mrs) Afuye, in resolving the matter directed the school management to stop the fencing project being undertaken, pending the time the boundary committee will visit the disputed area for proper demarcation.
The Deputy Governor also informed the institution not to exceed the area earlier released for the building of the school by Asalu family in 1967, to avert intra- communal violence that could trigger insurrection in Iyin Ekiti.
The Deputy Governor advised Eyemote Secondary School and Asalu Family to have a “give and take mindset” in the resolution of the matter.
Chief (Mrs) Afuye said that the win-win situation for all parties has been a potent strategy being adopted by government to resolve land disputes.
The Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Oba Adeniyi Ajakaye, speaking during the meeting appreciated the Governor Biodun Oyebanji-led government for intervening in the matter that is gradually gathering tension.
The Monarch, represented by Odofiyin of Iyin Ekiti, High Chief Ayodeji Esan, said the community places prime value on the protection of lives and property, and that the issue at hand shouldn’t be allowed to degenerate to violent action.
Oba Ajakaye promised that his council will cooperate with the boundary committee to bring a lasting solution to the land encroachment dispute.
The representative of Asalu family, Prof. Ayo Akinlua, while expressing their grievances over alleged encroachment into their lands lamented how the family’s lands were being forcibly grabbed.
He claimed that the institution had exceeded the area allotted to it at inception in 1967, describing this as a great injustice and abridgement of the rights of Asalu family.
Prof. Akinlua called on government to deploy all its powers to ensure that justice is done in the matter.
Also, Chief Adewole Alade, the Chairman of Araromi Local Council Development Area said that the LCDA had deployed security to the institution to ward off violence and loss of life.