The Abia State House of Assembly has taken urgent steps to address a lingering boundary dispute between Abia and Rivers states.
The dispute revolves around the ownership of a boundary area between the two states, with the people of Ezeogwu village in Owaza, Ukwa West local government area of Abia State, petitioning against their Umuakali Omuma neighbors of Rivers State.
The House has referred the petition to its Committee on Security and Boundary Matters to investigate and report back.
This move is aimed at finding a lasting solution to the dispute, which has been a source of tension between the two communities.
In other developments, the House has also attended to petitions from other communities, including one from the people of Alaoji, Obisi village, against the management of the Transmission Company of Nigeria.
The House has referred this petition to its Committee on Public Petitions, which is expected to report back within three weeks.
Additionally, the House has directed its Committee on Public Petitions to look into the Save-Our-Soul call by the people of Amaekpu Item Development Union, Bende local government area, regarding their only link bridge to Agbaja Nkporo, which is on the verge of collapse.
The House has also sponsored a motion on the urgent need to curb the desecration of Aba waterside river.
Meanwhile, the Speaker of the Abia State House of Assembly, Emmanuel Emeruwa, has announced the constitution of new Standing Committees with Anderson Akaliro (Umuahia North) heading the committee on South East Development.
Also, Emeka Obioma (Umuahia South) is to head the standing committee on Greater Aba Development Agency, Greater Ohafia Development Agency and Umuahia Capital Development Authority, whereas Anthony Chinasa (Umuahia Central) will head the Committee on Food security and Nutrition.