In a decisive move to entrench grassroots peace and reduce avoidable litigation, the Abia State Government has inaugurated mediation panels to resolve disputes involving tenants and landlords, families and communities across the state.
The panels, inaugurated at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Umuahia, are mandated to provide structured, non-adversarial solutions to a wide range of conflicts that often strain social relations and clog the courts.
According to the government, the mediation bodies will handle family and domestic disagreements, tenancy and landlord disputes, as well as community-related conflicts. They will also discreetly address land and boundary matters, minor commercial disputes and interpersonal conflicts considered suitable for amicable settlement.
A statement issued on Friday by the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs said mediation centres have been established in all the 17 local government headquarters, offering citizens access to conflict resolution services at no cost.
“These centres provide a peaceful, confidential and cost-free platform for timely resolution of disputes across our communities,” the ministry said, underscoring the administration’s preference for dialogue over confrontation.
The initiative has been welcomed by residents, particularly tenants in Umuahia, who expressed readiness to approach the panels over what they described as the growing excesses of some landlords.
Findings revealed that the mediation panels comprise lawyers, respected community leaders and senior officials of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, a composition designed to balance legal rigour with local understanding.
