Delta Govt. Sues for Peace Among Ethnic Communities of Warri and its Environs

The Delta State Government has called on all parties involved in the ethnically slanted agitations among some communities in Warri South Local Government Area, especially concerning recent attempts to rename sections of Warri Township, to stop all hostilities that could disturb the existing peace in the township.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Dr Kingsley Emu, after a meeting with all the parties. It was agreed that any action that threatens the peaceful coexistence of the ethnic groups in the area should be avoided at all costs.

The communities that attended the meeting were Agbarha Warri kingdom, Okere Community (Warri), Itsekiri National Youth Council and Urhobo Progress Union Youth Wing Worldwide, Security Agencies, and senior government Officials.

The statement further added that after very extensive deliberations amidst an atmosphere of mutual respect and a sense of civic responsibility towards Warri Township and Delta State at large, the parties agreed to maintain the status quo and flatly rejected the move to designate parts of Warri Township as WADO CITY; that the headquarters of Urhobo Progress Union (Urhobo House) should retain its official address as No. 18 Okere Road, Warri, while the State government will undertake to reinstall the billboard for the secretariat of the Union which reflects this agreed address; and that all parties agreed to work with each other to maintain peace and harmony in Warri Township, which is especially necessary to support the renewed drive for infrastructural development in the City.

The statement warns that the State government will deal decisively with anyone who violates the agreement.