State orders fresh demarcation timeline
By Onwa Ekor
The lingering boundary dispute between the Ugep and Idomi communities in Yakurr local government area of Cross River, will soon be a thing of the past following a peace meeting held, Monday, with decisive measures put in place.
The meeting, presided over by the deputy governor of the State and Chairman of the State Boundary Committee (SBC), Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, at Government House Calabar, saw the attendees arriving at fruitful deliberations aimed at checking the crisis.
The deputy governor at the peace meeting commended participants for their peaceful conduct and constructive engagement, describing the development as a strong indication of their collective desire for lasting peace and mutual coexistence.
Odey stressed the need for unity, restraint and cooperation, reasoning that both communities had coexisted peacefully over the years and must work together to restore and sustain the feat.
He further warned that government will not tolerate any breach of peace from either side throughout the process,
adding that “Paramount Ruler of Yakurr and clan heads of the affected communities will be held accountable for any breakdown of law and order in their respective communities.”
After extensive deliberations, members agreed that the Surveyor-General of the State, alongside the State Security Adviser as well as the Chairman of Yakurr local government Council, and five chiefs from each of the affected communities, within one week, move to the disputed area to embark on a demarcation exercise.
They also agreed that the demarcation exercise be conducted in line with agreed traditional boundary alignments as identified by both communities.
Members resolved that parties submit relevant documents supporting their claims to the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the State (SGS) before the commencement of the field exercise.
During the meeting, it was agreed that the Surveyor General and his team should submit the report within one week after the exercise.
After that, members resolved that a follow-up meeting be convened at Government House, Calabar, to review the report and finalize the boundary demarcation.
Participants enjoined the various stakeholders to sensitize youths, women and elders in their communities on the need to maintain peace while avoiding any form of violence.
The Chairman of Yakurr local government was mandated as the Chief Security Officer of the area, in collaboration with the State Security Adviser and other relevant security agencies, to provide adequate security during the demarcation exercise.
The Cross River government reaffirms its commitment to ensuring a fair, transparent and peaceful resolution of the dispute in the interest of development and harmony in the area.
