Gombe Deputy Gov moves to end Waja, Lunguda crisis
By Jack Tasha
Gombe State Deputy Governor, Manassah Daniel Jatau, has led a powerful government delegation to the paramount ruler of Lunguda, Kuruhaye Dishon Dansanda, in a quest to cement relationship between the two states and amongst the border communities of Waja and Lunguda.
The visit was part of the commitment of the State Government to proffer lasting solutions to lingering crises between the border communities of Waja and Lunguda that had in the recent past culminated into clashes leading to loss of lives and property.
Speaking at the palace of the paramount ruler in Guyuk, Adamawa State, the Deputy Governor, emphasised the need for peace and unity as tool for triggering development in every facet of human endeavour.
He said, “When I heard of the crises between Lunguda and Waja, I was very disturbed because at the inception of this administration, we had stopped the ‘annual ritual’ of crises between Kaltungo and Billiri, ” pointing out that they will not allow this one to happen under their administration.
The Deputy Governor noted that the basic problem with crises between communities is with the apportioning of blame, where the real culprits are not fished out, instead the blame is being generalized to encompass the group or tribe he or she belongs to, calling on the people to always be specific and avoid generalization, and to identify the perpetrators and hand them to appropriate authorities for punishment.
He warned that henceforth those who are not capable of suppressing the activities of criminals in their domains will be removed.
Also, Members representing Balanga North and South, Musa Buba and Hamza Adamu Dadiya as well as the Commissioner of Water Resources, Mijinyawa Yahaya separately stressed the need for peace, unity while urging the two groups to shun rumours, adding that it is a veritable tool to dusrupting harmonious coexistence and sustainable development.
They advocated for continued dialogue and meetings between the two states and communities of Waja and Lunguda as well as for government to encourage social and commercial activities through construction of road from Talasse to Guyuk aa a link to provide lasting peace in the area.
On their parts, Bala Waja, Alh. Mohammed Danjuma Mohammed, and Nidu Grah Cham Dr. James D. Chachis tasked the communities to embrace one another and shun any form of differences to allow peace reign, stressing that without peace there can never be any meaningful development.
Responding, Chairman Guyuk Local Government Area, Barr. Kassa Shalom and the Kwandi Nunguraya, Kuruhaye Dishon Dansanda welcomed the delegation from Gombe state, expressing delight that it is a very good step in the right direction.
They pointed out that it is a good coincidence, the visit is happening at the time of Easter when Christians are commemorating the death and resurrection of Christ marking the reconciliation of man to God, expressing happiness that the peace and unity would continue to be the portion of the two states and border communities of Lunguda and Waja.
They explained to the Deputy Governor that, “We have already requested all the Waja people who had earlier abandoned their homes during the crises to come back and continue with their legitimate duties, except for the minor misunderstanding, Waja and Lunguda have many things in common and that boundaries which are thin lines made for only administrative convenience, should not stop our coexistence.”
The representative of the Waja in Guyuk Alhaji Idi Umaru Atteh, appreciated the visit by Gombe state government saying that it has given them a sense of belonging.
The representative who also spoke in Lunguda explained that they the Wajas living in Guyuk have no home other than Guyuk, and would continue to cherish their stay and contribute to the growth of the area.
Jack .A. Tasha, Senior Special Assistant (Gombe Deputy Governor’s Office).
