The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio has said that the committee that would resolve the Cross River and Akwa Ibom states boundary dispute would be set up soon.

He said the committee which would be made up of elders will mediate on the boundary and maritime problems.

The governor dropped this hint at the weekend during the lying-in-state of the first elected governor of Akwa Ibom State, the Late Obong Akpan Isemin at the State Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Uyo.

Governor Akpabio while reacting to negative media reports and public misconception said that the committee would comprise eminent persons from both states to holistically resolve the thorny issues once and for all.

He noted that his Cross River State counterpart, Senator Liyel Imoke had accepted the idea and expressed the hope that the committee when inaugurated would make recommendations to be implemented by both states.

He said “we have no problem with Cross River State. About 30 per cent of Akwa Ibom people are residing in that state.  I am a sticker for justice and I believe strongly that what belongs to us mainly the oil wells should be returned to us.  Any time I find any oil well in our state which does not belong to us, I must return to the owner.

Akpabio recalled that the state had so far recovered 267 of the 300 oil wells belonging to the state saying “we are still pursuing the balance.

He acknowledge that the late Isemin stood for justice and fought abolition of the on-shore/off-shore oil dichotomy.

“Obong Isemin was a man of truth.  In 1992, the late governor stood firm and fought relentlessly against the obnoxious on-shore/off-shore oil dichotomy Decree which President Ibrahim Babangida later abrogated,” the Akwa Ibom governor recounted.

Akpabio also emphasise the need for Nigerian leaders to embrace justice in order for the country to attain greater heights, harping “Let us permanently abolish injustice in our country otherwise South Africa, Ghana and even Niger Republic may overtake us in the scheme of things.”

Earlier, the then Deputy Governor, Ambassador Etim Okpoyo, enumerated the achievements of the Isemin administration to include building the present Governor’s Office, payment of bursary to students in tertiary institutions, and the abolition of ethnic division and purchase of 11 rigs for borehole drilling among others.

The solemn ceremony was attended by some past military administrators of the state, including Air Commodore Idongesti Nkanga, Navy Captain Joseph Adeusi, Lt. Col. Yakubu Bako and Air Commander John Ebiye.

Also in attendance was the Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Obong Umana O. Umana, who moved a motion that the state executive council had bidden the late governor farewell.