The National Boundary Commission is to convene a Technical Meeting of Experts in Abuja from 5th to 6th October to work out activities and modalities towards resolving the inter-state boundary disputes between Abia and Akwa Ibom States.
This is part of a seven point communique presented at the end of the Joint Meeting of Officials on Abia/ Akwa Ibom Interstate Boundary held at the Michael Okpara auditorium, Umuahia and states that the September 2013 Communique on the boundary is very relevant for implementation.
Presenting the Communique on behalf of the two Deputy Governors of Abia and Akwa Ibom States, the Director General of National Boundary Commission, Alhaji Adamu Adaji said the meeting also resolved that the Joint Field Team be directed to undertake the Field Exercise from 9th to 14th December including report writing, while the Field work shall be preceeded by separate and Joint Public Enlightenment Campaigns from fourteenth to twenty nine October.
The meeting further stated that the harmonization of the separate claims of the two States be undertaken by a Committee of Experts after the completion of the Field work and submission of report in January, 2021, while both States should maintain the status quo pending the final resolution of the boundary.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Deputy Governor, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu who called for critical consideration of relevant documents including Court Judgements that bind the two States for use in the definition of the boundary further solicit for a special Federal Govt intervention to support the National Boundary Commission in the field delineation exercise and pledged the Abia State Govt’s cooperation and support.
Speaking also, the Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Obong Moses Ekpo regretted that differences of claims by some border communities have tended to create tensions and called on the affected borders to imbibe the spirit of brotherliness of give and take to allow for the conclusion of outstanding works on the boundary.
The Commissioners for Local Govt and Chieftaincy Affairs, Lands and Survey and Homeland Security, the Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Deputy Governor, TC Chairmen of affected border communities, Members of the State Boundary Committee and Security Personnels were present during the meeting.
