Cross River Seeks NBC’s Collaboration To Resolve Boundary Dispute With Abia
By Uket Oka, Calabar
The Cross River State Government has expressed its willingness to collaborate and synergise with the National Boundary Commission (NBC) to find an amicable solution to the interstate boundary dispute with Abia State.
The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, made this known during a two-day joint neeting of officials on the Abia/Cross River Interstate Boundary held at Calabar.
Rt Hon. Odey, who doubled as the Chairman of the State Boundary Committee (SBC), was represented at the meeting by the State Commissioner for Lands, Chief (Dr) Francis Ekpenyong.
He reaffirmed government’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and called for expeditious efforts from stakeholders to settle the aged-long boundary issues between communities along the disputed boundary.
The Deputy Governor noted that, these disputes have resulted in the loss of lives and property and dislocation of so many persons, stressing that, boundary lines are in many cases for administrative convenience.
He expressed optimism that all the boundary-related disputes in the state would soon be a thing of past and commended the National Boundary Commission for charting a pathway to the peaceful management of interstate boundaries not only between Abia and Cross River State, but across the country.
In his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, said, the time is now to resolve the lingering issues which have claimed lives and destroyed property worth millions of naira.
Emetu reaffirmed the determination of Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti in cooperating with the NBC and the Cross River State Government in their efforts to permanently put to an end the lingering crisis.
Earlier in his address, the Director-General of the NBC, Surv. Adamu Adaji, stated that the commission’s focus over the years has been to re-establish the boundary in accordance with existing documents, having inherited the issue since 1990 which originated from the former Cross River/Imo boundary.
“Our past efforts have resulted in the tracing and provisional demarcation of the entire interstate boundary and the outcome resulted in the two states agreeing on the alignment in some sectors while however disagreeing in the grey sectors of Erei Farm settlement disputes, Abia, Achara and Biakpan communities and Mbiabong-Ito Arochukwu communities“ the NBC boss added.
Adaji further charged stakeholders to promote confidence-building and support the commission’s concerted efforts to restore peace and security to the affected border communities.
In his welcome address, the Surveyor-General of Cross River State, Surv. Patrick Bassey expressed appreciation to all stakeholders for honouring the NBC’s invitation and called on them to deliberate the issues that seeks to permanently resolve the matter.
Bassey noted that the meeting was important as it would provide opportunity for stakeholders to jointly review the work of the technical experts as presented during the technical session.
The meeting was attended by officials of the National Boundary Commission, Surveyor-General of the Federation, Surveyors General of both states, Director General, Cross River State Border Commission (BorderCom), Council Chairmen from the affected Local Government Areas, Head of Personal Staff to the Deputy Governor, traditional rulers, and other relevant stakeholders.
