By Jonathan Ugbal
The Nigerian Senate earlier this week, in plenary, resolved to constitute an Ad-hoc committee to investigate the “illegal annexation of mangrove and maritime territories” by the Republic of Cameroon with Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong jr. making a case for Cross River State.
The Senate’s resolution from Tuesday’s plenary came after a matter or urgent public importance was tabled before the floor by Senator Bassey Aniekan who represents Akwa Ibom North East, drawing the attention of the Senate to the annexation of mangrove islands and waters situated at Effiat in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Akwa Ibom and Cross River States share maritime and land boundaries. And, Senator Ekpenyong, who represents Cross River South district while debating on the issue proposed an amendment to the proposed resolution by removing Mfiat in Mbo Local Government Area, and replacing same with “Nigerian mangroves and maritime territories,” since both States suffer from a similar fate.
Addressing the Senate, Senator Asuquo averred that; “The unjust ICJ judgment 23 years ago has caused untold and unimaginable hardship to the people of Cross River State, specifically, the people of Bakassi. That judgment had certain conditions, such as the appropriate resettlement and reintegration of the people of Bakassi. Until today, that has not been effected.
“Beyond that, there were issues that arose from the ceding of Bakassi such as the loss of oil wells from Cross River State. These are issues that have led to untold hardship, once again. We have internally displaced persons in Cross River State. Not just Cross River South, in Cross River Central, and parts of Cross River North.
“Distinguished colleagues, prior to the 23rd day of September 1987, Cross River State and Akwa Ibom State were one State. This infers that issues affecting the border or territory of Akwa Ibom State also indeed affect Cross River State.
“I will like to propose the discussion of the prayers that have been proposed by my friend and colleague, Senator Aniekan Bassey that we expand the scope of this motion which deals with just the mangrove islands, to disputed territories within the Cross River/Akwa Ibom region and Cameroon.”
Similarly, Senator Victor Umeh, who represents Anambra Central proposed an additional resolution that the Senate urges the President to take “necessary steps to secure and protect the Nigerian mangrove and maritime territories, illegally annexed by the Republic of Cameroon.”
Both resolutions were agreed to by the Senate.
Nine senators were then named in the committee which will be led by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim. Senators Adegbonmire Adeniyi, Seriake Dickson, Kaka Shehu, and Ipalibo Banigo are also in the committee. Others are Senators Jarigbe Agom, Sampson Ekong, Bello Abubakar, and Bassey Aniekan.
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