By ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA
Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has urged the National Boundary Commission and the Boundary Committees of the States in the South-South zone, to look through and properly x-ray the challenges boundary delineation in the zone and come up with fresh ideas and responses on how best to surmount these challenges.
Gov Okowa made the call in Asaba today, during a A 2 -Day interactive session of National Boundary Commission with States’ Boundary Committees in the South-South Geopolitical Zone holding in Asaba from 27th to 28th April, 2021.
Gov Okowa, who was represented by his deputy, Dcn Kingsley Otuaro, stated that Delta State was always committed to the peaceful resolutions of boundary matters as it is critical to the development of the State and it’s neighbours.
While acknowledging the strategic role of the National Boundary Commission in peaceful resolution of boundary disputes in the country, the Delta State Governor said that “it is obvious that we are facing challenges with delineating our boundary with Edo and Ondo States. This is a result of the failure of stakeholders to abide by resolutions accepted by all parties”.
He therefore called on the National Boundary Commission to join hands with the State Government in finding a lasting solution to the challenges associated with the Ethiope River axis, to prevent any further breakdown of law and order in those areas. “There is also the need to revisit the delineation of the boundaries between Delta State and Anambra, Bayelsa, and Rivers States”. He added.
According to Okowa, “it is unfortunate that most times a significant amount of time is wasted on boundary delineation without conclusion. The fact remains that if we do not resolve boundary issued on time, the people of the border Communities will suffer, because it may result in conflicts.
“I encourage the Commission and Boundary Committees of the States to treat boundary issues with utmost priority. It is also necessary for States and Communities in the South-South zone to embrace the principle of give and take on boundary matters”.
“There is no doubt that for harmonious coexistence among border Communities of the country, there is a need for continuous use of peaceful means in resolving boundary issues. Without amicable resolution of conflicts, those living in the border towns would continue to be in conflict and suffer lack of socioeconomic development, because the people may not be able to carry out farming and other economic activities, at the same time no investor would be ready to invest in a troubled environment”.
Okowa commended the National Boundary Commission for keeping to tradition in putting together this interactive session and in choosing Delta State to host.
Earlier, the Director General (D-G) of National Boundary Commission, Surveyor Adamu Adaji stated that the interactive session was intended to serve as a way of sensitizing stakeholders on the activities of boundary managers at various levels of government and also means to offer an opportunity for relevant stakeholders in the South – South zone to interface with the Commission on ways to manage and fast track the resolutions of issues relating to internal boundaries.
The program attracted the Deputy Governors of Edo and Bayelsa, Comrade Philip Shuaibu and Senator Lawrence Eghwrudjeakpor including Other representatives from the South South States