Ogwuaniocha Crisis: Panel of Inquiry Begs Aggrieved Parties to Bear Losses

By Praise Chinecherem

The Judicial Panel of Inquiry set up by the Anambra State Government to look into the problems of Ogwuaniocha community has continued its meetings and is working towards charting a peaceful future in the community.

Chairman of the Panel, Justice C K Anigbogu, stated that they have made substantial progress as they have received the memoranda submitted.

He said that inventories and details of destructions and damages in the community houses, household properties and loss of persons were the key discussions at their recently concluded meeting.

Justice Anigbogu described the session as a very touchy aspect of their work because the extent of carnage, loss of human lives and properties destroyed cannot be glossed over easily as most of these are irrecoverable and irreplaceable.

“We try as much as possible to advise the parties to bear the loss and move forward, and I think we are getting their cooperation and they are beginning to understand that for them to move forward, they have to forbear and forgive.

“From what we heard, there’s a commendable level of forbearance and understanding as they all want to be at peace to be able to enjoy the benefits of the natural resources within their community.”

“They want to unite and be like they were before irrespective of the losses and to understand that even if Government decides to rebuild or restructure, that the restructuring of the mind and mental state of the indigenes is paramount”, he added.

Justice Anigbogu believed that the next session will be more fruitful and eventful as a lot of progresses has already been made, whereas openess, relationships, brotherhood and the confidence on the part of the individuals are gradually returning for the benefit of profitable living and peaceful coexistence among them.