The Zango Cattle Market operators and the shop owners at the front of the School of Engineering, Kogi State Polytechnic, Itakpe Campus, have been given two weeks ultimatum to vacate the Polytechnic land.
The ultimatum was given as part of the resolution at a stakeholders meeting involving the leadership of Okehi Local Government, traditional rulers, clan heads, and land claimers in the areas on Tuesday.
At the meeting, the Senior Special Assistant on Security Matters to the Governor of Kogi State for Okehi Local Government, Hon. Abdulraheem Ohiare, had earlier advised those who took government to court over the campus land to withdraw same and come to round table to resolve the issue amicably.
Ohiare advised stakeholders, especially those laying claims to the land to show greater understanding as that was the only means to solve the lingering problem.
He disclosed to the gathering that the meeting was called at the instance of Governor Yahaya Adoza Bello, to find a permanent solution to the issue of land encroachment that had lingered for years.
In his remarks, the Ohi of Eika, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Shehu Umar, appreciated Governor Bello for the plan to site the Confluence University of Science and Technology at the Central Senatorial District, and added that stakeholders had been meeting and decisions had been made to vacate the land in question for the purpose of development.
He, however, said that the issue of compensation was a serious concern that needed to be resolved for amicable resolution.
In separate remarks, the contenders for the land stated clearly that they were willing to release the land for the sake of development, but that government should compensate them appropriately.
On his part, the Acting Rector, Dr Salisu Ogbo Usman, who led the Polytechnic delegation, appreciated the Senior Special Assistant on Security for Okehi Local government and the Ohi of Eika for standing as leaders who work hard to ensure the resolution of the issue and ensure restoration of peace.
He also appreciated all stakeholders and reminded them that the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) had spent several billions of naira on the Itakpe Campus and that the parties involved should seek peace as more development was still being anticipated.
He said that his appointment was based on trust and that Governor Bello had made resources available and provided the enabling environment for him to work.
He pointed out that, since he came on board in April, he had been trying to entrench peace in all facets of the institution in accordance with the principles of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) peace and conflict resolution mechanism which he has taught in the University for the past 12 years.
According to him alternative dispute resolution is the most potent instrument of conflict resolution.
He called on all the stakeholders to calm down and give peace a chance because the presence of an institution would bring development by way of employment opportunities and expansion of businesses.
The meeting had in attendance, the principal officers of the Polytechnic, members of Okehi Local Government Council, traditional rulers and members of the different clans laying claims to the Polytechnic land.
