Imoke Wants Federal Government To Address Border Issues

SAN FRANCISCO, Jan 20, (THEWILL) - Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has appealed to the Federal Government to appreciate the sacrifice made by the state for the success of the Green Tree Agreement between Nigeria and Cameroun Republic by addressing the land disputes between the state and its neighbours.

Imoke made the appeal while receiving the Minister of State, Foreign Affairs, Hajiya Salamatu H. Suleiman during a courtesy visit in Calabar. Senator Imoke is also appealing that fallouts from the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroun including the ceding of oil wells in Cross River to Akwa Ibom since 2002 be equally reviewed for the sake of equity and fairness.

He also called for a joint military patrol within the territorial waters between the two countries to curb the activities of pirates, explaining that this would beef up security within the border towns to ensure the safety of lives and property as well as integrate the people into the country.

The Governor lamented that border communities in the state receive little Federal Government presence and in order to create a sense of belonging, the state established a Border Communities Development Commission to ensure they enjoy essential amenities like other communities, appealing that efforts should be heightened by the Federal Government to revisit the challenges faced in the resettlement of the displaced persons of Bakassi.

Imoke said, critical assets lie between the Nigerian border with Cameroun and the challenges faced in terms of security has been brought to the attention of the Federal Government, disclosing that there have been a great security problem since the ceding of Bakassi to Cameroun.

He hoped that the workshop organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Calabar would address pertinent issues affecting border communities and states in the country.

Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Salamatu H. Suleiman, who was in attendance with officials of Border Commission Development Agency, National Boundary Commission and Federal Development Agency, disclosed that she was in Calabar for a workshop on border communities which is centred on national development, safety, and security.

The Minister disclosed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs deems it necessary to hold a series of workshops to address issues affecting the strategic locations of border communities as well as address their needs in order to create a sense of belonging among the people.

She also disclosed that the first workshop was held in Kebbi State and therefore solicited the assistance and support of the state for the success of the workshop in Calabar.