Akwa Ibom State government has expressed disappointment at failure of relevant federal government agencies to implement decisions aimed at resolving the perennial boundary crises between states.
The state Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo recalled that a previous resolution reached on the siting of a military base at the troubled border between Akwa Ibom and Cross River at the Itu end in December 2019, was yet to be effected.
Ekpo stated this Tuesday, August 17 in Itu at the opening of the sensitization visit by the National Boundary Commission to the disputed area.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in his office, Mr. Nkopuruk Ekaiko, he emphasized the need for all parties to show understanding and a sense of urgency in dealing with matters which affect both the lives and means of livelihood of fellow Nigerians.
He, therefore, appealed to the National Boundary Commission to follow up the status of that agreement to fast-track the process of effective demarcation to restoring peace to the volatile border area.
The Director-General of the National Boundary Commission, NBC, Mr Adamu Adaji, assured that efforts would be made to comply with relevant agreements intended to fast-track the peaceful resolution of boundary crises in the state and the nation generally.
The DG who was represented by Mrs. Amina Adamu, a director in the Commission further traced the previous efforts of the NBC in finding permanent solutions to boundary issues at Ini/Abia and Itu/Cross River border areas through the use of technical committees, several meetings and field tracing.
He expressed the hope that this latest effort will be successful at enthroning a lasting solution to the border crises.
The local government Chairmen of Ini, Ibiono Ibom, Itu and Uruan thanked the NBC and the Deputy Governor’s office for the sensitization and hoped that it would translate into a lasting peace at their border communities.