Chiefs of the Abudu and Andani Royal gates in the Dagbon Traditional area have indicated their resolve to amicably settle the protracted Yendi skin dispute between them.Both sides have acknowledged the fact that many Dagomba localities in the Northern region have remained underdeveloped largely because of the conflict.They made the pledge to coexist peacefully during a courtesy call on the Northern Regional Minister, Bede Ziedeng on Thursday.The high-powered delegation was sent by the Regent of Dagbon, Kampakuya-Naa, to welcome the new minister and also pledge the support of the people to his administration, especially efforts towards ensuring lasting peace in Dagbon.Notable among the delegation were the Chief of Savelugu, Naa Mahama Abukari, and the Chief of Kumbungu, Naa Abu Iddrisu, both from the Andani Gate, and the Gbungbal, Naa Sulemana Abdulai, and the Gundo-Naa, Samata Abdulai, both from the Abudu Gate.The courtesy call was the first social event in more than four years that the Andanis and the Abudus had jointly undertaken and they used the platform to pledge their commitment to peace-making in Dagbon.The Spokesperson for the delegation, the Vogu-Naa, Mohammed Bawa, who is also a member of the Council of State, said the posture of the chiefs was a strong indication of their readiness to work together.He said the chiefs had appreciated deeply the value of peace, especially its impact on development and were ever prepared to work with the Northern Regional Security Council (REGSEC) to find a permanent solution to the dispute between the Andani and Abudu gates.He said the chiefs were unhappy about the numerous development challenges facing Dagbon and the region as a whole and called on the government to pay attention to them.“Many roads are in bad shape, and this is making transportation a hell for our people,” the Vogu-Naa said.“There is high level of unemployment in our areas, and this is further helping to sustain the conflict because the idle youth are the lead trouble causers,” he added.Visibly excited about the significant posture of the chiefs, Mr Ziedeng lauded them for taking a bold decision to work together in the interest of Dagbon.“The skin is the possession of Dagbon, and I know you would stand up as one family to resist any attempt by an outsider to take over the skin,” he stated.He said when he was assuming office, President John Dramani Mahama tasked him to ensure that the Yendi skin affair was resolved, adding that “the President had yearned for unity in Dagbon and would, therefore, be overjoyed to hear that the chiefs were themselves ready to make peace.”Responding to the concern of the chiefs about the low space of development in parts of the region, Mr Zeideng mentioned a number of significant road projects that were ongoing in various parts of the country.The projects, he said included the Fufulso-Junction-Sawla road, Walewale-Gambaga road and Tamale-Buipe road, as well as the Eastern Corridor road project which had begun in the Volta Region section.“Work on the Tamale-Yendi and Tamale-Salaga roads would also start soon,” he said.Present at the meeting were heads of the various security services.