Just as the special committee set up by the Anambra State government to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the conflict that erupted between the Diocese of the Niger, the Anglican Communion and the Nkwelle Ezunaka community, leading to the demolition of a church building, the Bishops of Niger Province, Anglican Communion has demanded the rebuilding of the demolished church by the Anambra State government.
Eight bishops of the province led by the Archbishop of the Niger, Most Rev. Dr. Christian Efobi, rose from a meeting Thursday evening and went to the site of the demolished church where they handed down the demand.
But receiving the report of the committee at Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, the state Governor, Willie Obiano, assured all the parties to the dispute of a fair and dispassionate implementation of the committee’s recommendations.
He said: “I can see the volume of the report and I believe it shows the effort you put into the assignment. I wish to assure you that I will study the recommendations of the committee and ensure prompt implementation in a manner that will ensure justice and fairness to all parties.”
Obiano restated the commitment of his administration to the promotion of justice, peace and fair play and appealed for calmness from all the parties to the dispute while the report was being looked into for final implementation.
Earlier, while presenting a copy of the report, the Chairman of the committee, Dr. Nkem Okeke, who was represented by the Chief of Staff, Professor Joe Asike, said the committee was given two weeks to conclude its investigations and submit its recommendation, adding that members painstakingly worked to meet the deadline.
Okeke said members took time to listen to all parties to the dispute and examine all documentary evidence and narratives pertaining to the disputed property without fear or favour.
He thanked all the parties for co-operating with the committee and turning up to give their separate accounts that helped the committee to arrive at its recommendations.
It will be recalled that following the mid-night destruction of a church building by unknown persons in the premises of Oyolu-Oze Primary School, the governor visited the school site on Friday, August 15, 2014 and condemned the act and promptly set up a six-man committee headed by the Deputy Governor of the state Dr. Nkem Okeke, to look into the matter.
Source: Daily Independent
