Ebonyi Urges Amicable Demarcation Of Benue/Ebonyi Boundaries

The Ebonyi State Govern

ment has called for amicable demarcation of boundaries between Benue and Ebonyi States to check loss of lives and property.

The Deputy Governor of the state, Chief David Umahi, made the call while addressing the joint meeting of officials on Benue and Ebonyi Interstate Boundary Commission in Makurdi.

Umahi appealed to the commission to take urgent steps to implement the resolutions of the various meetings of the committee for peaceful demarcation of the boundaries.

The deputy governor said “boundaries are for administrative purposes and should not cause loss of lives and destruction of property.

“The attacks on the Ngbo/Agila sector should not be allowed to escalate.

“We suggest that the peace committee on disputed areas should resume talks and draw up a road map to peace and final demarcation of our borders to forestall loss of lives and property.’’

He said the committee must work toward achieving final peace and unity in boundary areas of the two states.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Benue Deputy Governor, Chief Steven Lawani, had told the committee members that the state was faced with boundary disputes of different magnitudes.

“Benue State shares six interstate frontiers with our neighbours and an international boundary with the Federal Republic of Cameroon.

“All these frontiers are contentious with disputes of different magnitudes.

“We appreciate the National Boundary Commission (NBC) initiative for tracing provisional demarcation and survey of our interstate boundaries.

“We are also aware of the security challenges and technical ambiguities involved in the final demarcation of our interstate boundaries and hope the meeting will proffer solution to pending issues for effective demarcation of our borders.’’

Lawani further appealed to the peace committee to resume talks after the security and peace in the affected areas were effectively restored.

He called for the removal of all impediments stalling the completion of the Benue/Ebonyi interstate boundary.

In his opening remarks, the Director General, National Boundary Commission, Dr Mohammed Ahmad, appealed for the implementation of previous meetings of officials which resolved that the Legal Notice 126 of 1954 line be implemented.

“We call for the implementation of previous meetings which resolved that the Legal Notice 126 0f 1954 line as traced be identified on the ground and permanent pillars emplaced simultaneously.

“Unfortunately, disagreements by some of the affected border communities stalled the process after 15 pillars had been placed.”

Ahmad, who was represented by the Director for Internal Boundaries, Alhaji Bashir Shettima, appealed to the two states to distinguish between administrative boundaries and individual property rights as recognised by law.

He appealed to the states to encourage cross border cooperation and relationship among communities to foster peaceful coexistence.