By Jonathan Ugbal; Government House Correspondent
Governors Ben Ayade of Cross River and his Ebonyi counterpart, David Umahi have signed a peace and infrastructure agreement to sustainably resolved the boundary crisis rocking communities in both states.
The duo met yesterday in Portharcourt, the Rivers State capital to discuss the crisis which occurs in four flash points.
The flash points are; Yala/Izzi, Obubra/Abakaliki, Obubra/Ikwo and Abi/Ikwo.
And, part of the resolutions of the meeting which was convened by Mr. Umahi and facilitated by Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers was the construction of a combined 1.1 kilometers of bridges by the Ebonyi State government and a combined 26.2 kilometers of road by the Cross River State government.
A ten point communique issued at the end of the meeting stated that the Ebonyi State government will construct a 600 metres bridge across Oferekpe River in Ikwo axis and 500 metres bridge at Ndibe Beach in Afikpo.
Meanwhile, the Cross River State government will compliment with the construction of a 7.2km road to link up with the Federal high way coming in from Ogada to Oferekpe in Ebonyi state as well as 19km road linking Ndibe beach to Ugep in Yakurr local government area or a 17km road linking Ndibe beach to Adim in Biase local government area.
The meeting which was co-chaired by both governors also resolved that both states end the boundary disputes.
The representatives of the disputed communities in attendance were directed to return to their various communities and sensitise them on the way forward with a view to proffering solutions to the challenges at the flash points.
Also, both states will submit a position paper on their boundary claims, annexing relevant legal documents, maps and communiques of previous meetings within 30 days while arbitrarators including the National Boundary Commission, as a third arbitrator would be appointed.
Furthermore, both states will embark on a disarmament of the combatants and thereafter grant amnesty to those who willingly handover the dangerous weapons in their possession within a period of 90 days from 7th of August 2018.
The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Mr. Kelechi Igwe.
And, sources in Government House Abakaliki say Mr. Wike came into the picture as a rallying point for the duo.
Meanwhile, the commissioner for information in Ebonyi state, Emma Onwe told CrossRiverWatch in a telephone conversation that he intends to tour the flash points soon.
Leave feedback about this