NBC URGES THE ABIA AND AKWA IBOM STATE GOVERNMENT’S TO DEMONSTRATE THE POLITICAL WILL TO RESOLVE THEIR BOUNDARY DISPUTE 06-11-24
By Sadiq Aminu The National Boundary Commission has urged the Abia and Akwa Ibom state governments to demonstrate the political will needed to address and permanently resolve the ongoing inter-state boundary disputes between them.
The call was made by the Commission’s Director General, Mr. Adamu Adaji, during a stakeholder meeting in Abuja focused on resolving the Abia/Akwa Ibom interstate boundary issues.
Mr. Adaji expressed concern over the valuable lives lost in past conflicts resulting from differing perceptions and claims concerning the Abia/Akwa Ibom boundary. He emphasized the need for an amicable solution to the dispute.
According to Mr. Adaji, “Our ultimate goal should be the peaceful and amicable resolution of this boundary dispute, and we must be determined to chart a pathway forward in our efforts to clearly define the interstate boundary for the ease of resolution by the border inhabitants.”
The Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Abia State Boundary Committee, Mr. Ikechukwu Emetu, urged the National Boundary Commission to issue a definitive statement regarding two disputed areas along the boundary line.
“The Azumini axis, the Ikwuano area, and the Bende area are very distinctive regions. We trust the Commission to rely on original, verifiable documents to properly demarcate our boundary with our sister state, Akwa Ibom,” he stated.
Similarly, the Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Boundary Committee, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, called for the withdrawal of an ongoing case in the High Court of Abia State involving the Ndoki people of Ukwa East in Abia State and the Ikot Udo Ika people of Akwa Ibom.
“All cases in court that hinder the speedy resolution of boundary disputes between the two states should be withdrawn, in accordance with the communiqué from the joint officials’ meeting on October 14, 2008,” Senator Eyakenyi emphasized.
The Abia/Akwa Ibom interstate boundary stretches 275 kilometers, with each state having six communities along the borderline.