By ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA
The Governments of the South-South zone of the country have called on the National Boundary Commission to clearly describe all approved boundaries for Gazetting.
The stakeholders made the recommendation at a two-day interactive session organized by the National Boundary Commission with the States’ Boundary Committees in the South-South (SS) Geo-Political Zone at Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba, Delta State on 27th and 28th April, 2021.
The interactive session was primarily designed to enable relevant stakeholders share thoughts and experiences aimed at deepening relationships among critical Stakeholders with a view to advancing strategies and options on the best way forward to address boundary disputes in the zone. While the plenary session was chaired by Prof Abednego E. Ekoko, Universe of Ibadan Boundary Scholar and Former Commissioner, Internal Boundaries, National Boundary Commission.
The States’ Boundary Committees were led personally by the Deputy Governors of Delta, Bayelsa and Edo States while the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governor’s Office, Akwa Ibom State. Cross River and Rivers States were absent at the event. The Surveyor-General of the Federation was represented by Surv. Adeyemi Adebomehin, Director, Internal Boundaries, Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation. Other participants included Senior Government Officials, Traditional Rulers, Resource Persons and various Stakeholders.
The Communique dated Wednesday, 28th April, 2021, was duly signed by His Excellency, Dcn Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, Deputy Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Comrade Phillip Shaibu Deputy Governor, Edo State, His Excellency, Sen. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Nkopuruk N. Ekaiko, Permanent Secretary, Deputy Governor Office, Akwa Ibom State and Surv. Adamu A. Adaji, Director-General,
National Boundary Commission, Abuja.
In a keynote address, His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Deacon Barr. Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, who stood in for the Executive Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, commended the National Boundary Commission for putting together the interactive session.
Otuaro noted that for harmonious co-existence among border communities of the Country, there is need for continuous use of peaceful means in resolving boundary issues.
The Delta State Deputy Governor urged the National Boundary Commission and the Boundary Committees of the States in the South-South Geo-political Zone to properly x-ray the challenges facing boundary delineation in the zone and come up with fresh ideas and responses on how best to surmount them.
In his welcome address, the Director-General, National Boundary Commission, Surv. Adamu A. Adaji expressed gratitude to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Delta State for hosting the interactive session. He informed the participants that the event was intended to acquaint stakeholders on boundary management policies of Government and to brainstorm as well as evolve modalities for speedy resolution of boundary issues in the States and Nigeria at large. He enjoined stakeholders to maximise the benefits of the session to exchange ideas freely in order to gain insights and come up with concrete steps towards fast tracking the definition of interstate boundaries in the South-South Geo-political zone.
In a goodwill message, the Surveyor-General of the Federation noted that the key to successful boundary work, including the long-term prevention of disputes and development of cross-border cooperation lies in the ability to create goodwill and trust among border communities. He posited that every boundary is unique with its own history, definition, human, physical and geographical context. He urged entities involved in disputes to adopt a policy of re-alignment in boundary resolution mechanisms.
Three (3) papers were presented at plenary by: the Director- General, National Boundary Commission, Surv. Adamu A. Adaji, former Surveyor-General of Delta State, Surv. Dickson Akpoghene, and the Director, Internal Boundaries, National Boundary Commission, Dr. R. O. Oji. The papers extensively addressed the mandates of the National boundary Commission and States Boundary Committees with respect to boundary management, evolution of interstate boundaries in the South-South Geo-political Zone and the use of Ethnographic Studies in the definition of interstate boundaries. The States also presented position Papers on the activities of their various Boundary Committees.
After exhaustive deliberations, the interactive session organized in furtherance of the National Boundary Commission’s efforts at managing Nigeria’s internal boundaries, noted that there was need to complete the monumentation of earlier agreed boundaries within the zone;
“that it is pertinent for the States in the South-South Geo-Political Zone to imbibe the spirit of give and take in the resolution of boundary issues;
“that the quest for natural resources is a major cause of boundary disputes in the region;
“that failure to maintain status quo on resolution of meetings of disputed boundaries aggravate tensions in the zone;
“that some boundary instruments attached to Court Judgments are ambiguous;
“that some States and Local Government Councils have not properly constituted their Boundary Committees;
that failure to follow-up as at when due and the lack of continuity occasioned by retirement from service and change of Governments often lead to delay in convening meetings and following through on resolutions; and
“that politicization of boundary disputes heightens tensions and puts strain on relationships among the inhabitants of border communities”.
Apart from noting the above, the 2- Day interactive session organized by the National Boundary Commission with the States’ Boundary Committees in the South-South (SS) Geo-Political Zone also recommended that the National Boundary Commission, in conjunction with States and Local Government Boundary Committees, should carry out regular sensitization/enlightenment campaigns on the essence of administrative boundaries;
“That State and Local Government Boundary Committees should be properly established in all States and Local Government Areas to complement the efforts of the National Boundary Commission;
“That Nigeria should adopt a Policy on equitable sharing of straddling resources between affected States, Local Government Areas and Communities as the case may be;
“That the National Boundary Commission and the States Boundary Committees should be properly funded to enable them discharge their responsibilities effectively and expressly;
“That the National Boundary Commission should clearly describe all approved boundaries for Gazetting;
“That the technical and Political considerations should be adopted for enduring and lasting solutions to boundary disputes;
“That the National Boundary Commission should impress on the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation the need for the publication of the 12th Edition of the administrative map of Nigeria;
” That States should adhere to Court Judgments on boundary issues;
“That adequate legislation should be put in place to enable the National Boundary Commission wield the big stick on States who make it difficult to implement resolutions agreed upon by parties and major stakeholders;
“That after adequate notices have been given to all parties, National Boundary Commission should go ahead with the delineation/demarcation irrespective of any party’s refusal to turn up for the exercise; and
“That the National Boundary Commission should enforce the maintenance of the status quo pending the resolution of boundary disputes. Furthermore, breeches occasioned on the status quo would be looked into”.