Akwa Ibom government decries delay of boundary demarcation with Cross River

The Akwa Ibom State Government has decried the slow pace of work on the demarcation of its boundary with Cross River State, saying the situation has continued to fuel inter-state carnage and avoidable loss of lives.

Addressing a joint meeting of the National Boundary Commission (NBC) in Uyo, Deputy Governor of the state, Moses Ekpo, stressed that demarcating the boundary would promote peace and development between the two states.

He charged the Federal Government to go beyond rhetoric and embark on visible development of the area by establishing a viable fishing industry and a military base to create a functional buffer for the demarcated area.

Besides, such demarcation would go a long way to promoting the traditional fishing trade of the people while enhancing security at the border communities.

Ekpo restated the need for the Federal Government to expedite action on the construction of the Calabar–Itu Highway, saying government had mobilised the contractor, but the project has not been executed.

He stressed that the poor state of the road has hindered commerce, free movement, and regional integration.

Responding, Cross River Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Esu, bemoaned the poor state of the Calabar–Itu highway pointing out that the delay in the execution of the demarcation exercise has adversely affected the relationship between the two states and heightened insecurity in the area.

He, therefore, urged the NBC and the office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation to do everything possible to end the crisis.

A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, Ekpo, Esu and Acting Director-General of the NBC, Surveyor Adamu Adaji, revealed that the field exercise for the formal demarcation of the boundary will commence from November 11 to December 10, 2019, after a Technical Committee meeting by the Surveyors General of both states.

The Surveyor General would award a contract for the emplacement of the boundary pillars immediately after identification of the points, while the states would provide their contingents on the field team and necessary logistics to ensure a hitch-free exercise.