By Charles Eke
The Director-General of National Boundary Commission, Mr Adamu Adaji has said that the Commission will soon commence the process of delineation and demarcation of the boundary between Abia and the Akwa Ibom States to put an end to the lingering crisis of boundary skirmishes and loss of lives.
Mr Adaji who stated this during a Joint Sensitization and Enlightenment Campaign along Abia and Akwa Ibom interstate boundary held at the FOB, 144 Battalion, Nigerian Army, 14 Brigade, Akirika Obu in Ukwa East Local Government Area pointed out that the hostilities currently being experienced between the Akirika Obu and lot Udo communities of both Local Government Areas are as a result of a delay in the speedy demarcation and resolution of their boundary lines.
The Director-General of the National Boundary Commission reassured the Governments of Abia and the Akwa Ibom States that they will do all in their power to ensure that their interstate boundaries are defined and stressed the need for both communities to embrace peace to enable them to benefit from developmental projects from both State Governments.
In his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Abia State, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu commended the National Boundary Commission for efforts made so far to ensure that their boundary with neighbouring States is delineated which when completed will reduce the problem of boundary crisis and maintained that it will be of great benefit to all if the boundaries are demarcated soonest to address the issue of the high rate of a threat to peace and loss of lives.
Sir Oko Chukwu who reminded the two communities of Abia and Akwa Ibom States that Land matters should not be avenues to shed blood and kill one another, urged them to live in peace and cooperate with the boundary Officials to enable them to tidy up the delineation exercise and appealed to Security personnel’s to mop up arms from those illegally possessing them to reduce tension along the border lines.
In his remarks, the Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Sir Moses Ekpo laudborderlinesmination of the Commission to immediately sort out issues of boundary skirmishes between the two States and pointed out that it will be a great achievement that the history of boundary problem between the two Local Governments of Akirika Obu and lot Udo gets resolved during their tenure as Chairmen of their various Boundary Committees.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on boundary matters, Sir Chris Nwanevu said Abia and Akwa Ibom boundary corridors should not be a thing for dispute as some documents and decrees clearly define ownership of all the disputed areas and called for truthfulness in making claims and counter claims, while the NBC should expedite action in defining the boundary lines.
counterclaims remarks, the Chairman of Ukwa East Local Government Area, Mr Chuks Wabara and his Ika LGA counterpart, Malachi Ekpe reechoed that based on available records, what they are experiencing is not a boundary issue, but that of encroachment and called on the National Boundary Commission to expedite action on the demarcation of the boundary between their two communities.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Capt Awa Udensi Rtd and his Boundary Matters counterpart, Chief Mascot Imo Obike, members of the State boundary Committee, Security personnel, Traditional Rulers and stakeholders on Security Matters were present during the meeting.
