NBC Condemns Deaths in Abia and Akwa Ibom Border Dispute – Nigeria – The Guardian Nigeria News – Nigeria and World News

The National Boundary Commission (NBC) has condemned the continued loss of lives resulting from the protracted inter-state boundary dispute between Abia and Akwa Ibom states.

The Director-General of the commission, Mr. Adamu Adaji, expressed the concern during a stakeholder meeting to resolve the dispute in Abuja on Wednesday.

Adaji said with regret that valuable lives were lost due to different perceptions and claims on the inter-state boundary between Abia and Akwa Ibom states in the past.

“It is unfortunate and sad to note that valuable lives have been lost due to differences of opinion and grievances over the Abia-Akwa Ibom inter-state boundary in the past.

“This is something we all need to stop,” he said.

The CEO called for a peaceful and amicable resolution to the dispute, adding that NBC is determined to chart a path in the ongoing efforts to clearly define the interstate boundary.

He said the meeting was organized to find a lasting solution to the Abia-Akwa Ibom inter-state border dispute.

Adaji expressed confidence that with strengthened cooperation between the states and the NBC, the safety and well-being of the people would be guaranteed.

This, he said, will create a path that will lead to peace and progress for the states and the country.

“As border managers, we must work tirelessly to promote peace and understanding among affected communities, especially those living across administrative boundaries,” he said.

He stressed that people need to know that the boundaries are for administrative convenience.

He added that the lines are intended only to indicate the boundaries of various administrative jurisdictions and not to separate communities from each other.

He described the interstate border as not just a line dividing two states, but as a line that affects the lives of affected border communities and has economic, legal and social consequences.

Also speaking, Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom, Senator Akon Eyakeni, said the meeting of stakeholders was critical to resolving the boundary dispute between the two neighboring states.

“We assure the entire Border Management Team and all stakeholders of our support, cooperation and contribution to the success of the field exercise and the eventual resolution of the dispute.

“This is critical to ensuring the peaceful coexistence of neighboring communities.

On his part, the Deputy Governor of Abia, Mr. Ikechukwu Emetu, described the protracted dispute as a “cancer worm” that must be eradicated.

“A lot of time and enormous materials and funds were invested in this project. Unfortunately, the prospects for a settlement seem dim.

“It is unfortunate that the Abia State Government is unhappy with the clashes endemic to border communities.

“We are confident that dispute resolution will put an end to this and the step taken by NBC to resolve the dispute was touching and very welcome to the people of Abia,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the border in question was part of the former Cross River/Imo inter-state border, approximately 275 kilometers long.

The border has three points in Abia, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states in the north, and Abia, Akwa Ibom and Rivers in the south.

The Federal Government issued Decree 23 of 1985 to adjust the boundary following the recommendations of the Kalom Ali Boundary Commission as the starting point of the boundary.

However, the demarcation directive with the installation of permanent border posts was not implemented.

The NBC CEO explained that the problems have always been the lack of clear delineation tools, or their ambiguity where they exist.

Other problems, he said, include deliberate attempts to misinterpret documents by stakeholders or their failure to accept them.