29th October, 2012
Although, Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State and his counterpart in Ogun State, Mr. Ibikunle Amosun, were able to resolve the boundary issues in 15 communities bordering the two states, they were unable to resolve the thorny Ode Omi crisis.
In a communiqué released at the end of the meeting between Fashola and Amosun in Abeokuta, Ogun, southwest Nigeria at the weekend, there was no agreement reached on the issue.
The communiqué stated: “The outstanding issues in respect of Sector C, specifically Ode Omi, will be addressed at a later date.”
Why at a later date? Ode Omi is a remote community between Lagos and Ogun State with both states laying claim to ownership of the land.
The community is replete with natural gas that can fetch the two states billions of naira.
Last year, officials of the Lagos State Ministry of Rural Development visited the neglected community and claimed that 70 per cent ownership of the rich gas community, saying the survey of the land was signed by former Governor, Lateef Jakande in 1983 which gave the land to Lagos.
Immediately after that declaration, the Ogun State Government vehemently denounced claims of ownership of the community by Lagos, saying the land belonged to Ogun State.
With the inability of the two governors to resolve the ownership issue of the land at the weekend and postponing it to a later date, it is doubtful if the issue will ever be resolved by the two states as billions of naira is involved. It is certain that only the National Boundary Commission can resolve the issue at hand.