The Oyo State Government on Wednesday, began moves to settle an age-long boundary issue between Oorelope and Saki-East Local Government Areas, respectively.

The peace meeting between the representatives of the two local governments, which was summoned by the state government, was held at the Western Hall, Agodi Secretariat, Ibadan, the state capital.

The Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Boundary Commission, commended the leaders of the two communities for not taking laws into their own hands, saying that reporting whatever intrusion they encountered from neighbouring communities showed that the two parties were truly ready for peace.

Lawal explained that boundary dispute had been in existence since 1960; and inter-state boundary dispute and inter boundary dispute needed to be solved amicably as every responsible government would always want to avoid bloodshed.

He said, “It is a pleasure for me to welcome you all to this very important meeting to put heads together for further appropriate action in resolving the boundary disputes between the two local governments. My attention was recently drawn to the issue of demarcation and the Office of the Deputy Governor has been handling the issue very carefully to prevent bloodshed.

“So, on behalf of His Excellency, Seyi Makinde, I can assure you that we are doing everything possible towards the demarcation exercise, hence the need for you to exercise more patience on the task before us. The government would mobilise the Office of Surveyor General to carry out the land boundary demarcation exercise. Whoever between the two communities has documentary evidence to assist the surveyor general in respect to the survey should make a presentation.”

The deputy governor further urged them to maintain the spirit of living peacefully with one another as the matter was before the government for a lasting solution, stating that the government would not be a party to boundary disputes in court.

Earlier, the representative of the State Commissioner of Police, Superintendent of Police, Olaolu Adedokun, said the meeting would strongly indicate to other communities that the government was deeply concerned for the well-being of its people.

He added that the Makinde-led administration has provided the state Police command with great support in their efforts to ensure that the good people of the state live in peace, in addition to intervening in the out-of-court settlement of the boundary dispute between the two local governments.

Adedokun, therefore, commended the traditional leaders for calling their youths into order, promising that the state police command will keep playing its part to make sure that residents live peacefully.