Oil Wells Row: Sen. Ekpenyong Hails FG’s Decision To ‘Examine Issues’ Presented By C’River

By Jonathan Ugbal

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on the Niger Delta Development Commission in the 10th National Assembly, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong Jr has hailed the decision of the Federal Government to examine the issues presented by the Cross River State Government to restore its oil producing status following the discovery of 245 oil Wells within the State.

Ekpenyong, a first term lawmaker representing Cross River South Senatorial District made this known on Tuesday on his Facebook page where he said the decision of Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu to constitute an inter-agency committee reflects a commitment to “fairness and cooperative federalism.”

Also, he commended the approach of the Cross River State Government for its “diligent work and handling of the matter,” while expressing hopes for a positive outcome.

Read The Statement In Full:
After several years of anguish arising from the loss of our Bakassi Peninsula territory and the further adverse impact of the loss of oil wells on the revenue profile of Cross River State, I welcome the decision of President Bola Tinubu to constitute an inter-agency committee to carefully examine the issues presented by the Cross River State Government regarding the discovery of 245 oil wells within the state’s boundaries.

This measured and institutional approach reflects a commitment to due process, fairness, and cooperative federalism. I have confidence that the committee’s report will be thorough, objective, and guided strictly by the facts and applicable legal frameworks, and that its findings will be respected by all parties.

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Senator Ekpenyong also commended the leadership of the Cross River State Government

I commend the dedication and professionalism of the Cross River State Government for its diligent work and handling of this matter by advancing our position through lawful and appropriate channels.

I look forward to a positive outcome of the deliberations and remain hopeful that the conclusions will strengthen cooperation, mutual respect, and long-term stability between the sister states of Cross River and Akwa Ibom.

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Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong

The Issues

The Republic of Cameroon had on March 29, 1994 filed an application at the International Court of Justice, instituting proceedings against Nigeria with respect to the question of sovereignty over the Bakassi Peninsula, and requesting the Court to determine the course of the maritime frontier between the two States in so far as that frontier had not been established in 1975.

The Court ruled on the matter on October 10, 2002.

“In Bakassi, the Court decided that the boundary was delimited by the Anglo-German Agreement of 11 March 1913 (Arts. XVIII-XX) and that sovereignty over the Bakassi Peninsula lay with Cameroon. It decided that in that area the boundary followed the thalweg of the River Akpakorum (Akwayafe), dividing the Mangrove Islands near Ikang in the way shown on map TSGS 2240, as far as a straight line joining Bakassi Point and King Point,” part of the ruling read.

The Court then proceeded to fix the maritime boundaries between both Countries having ruled that it had jurisdiction despite Nigeria disputing such.

Following this ruling, a dispute arose concerning the ownership of 76 oil wells between Akwa Ibom State and Cross River at the Supreme Court with conflicting reports on the interpretation of the Judgment in suit number SC. 27/2010.

Nigeria had a period of 10 years to appeal the judgment of the International Court of Justice. This period elapsed despite motions calling on the country to do so by the National Assembly.

Before the appeal period elapsed, on August 14, 2008, the Peninsula was handed over to Cameroon in a United Nations led intervention despite protests by lawmakers.

However, the dispute over the oil wells continued with claims and counter claims leading to a resurgence about the listing of Cross River State as an oil producing State given the mineral maps showing oil deposits in the State.

The renewed conversations led to President Tinubu’s decision to set up an inter-agency committee to examine the issues raised by the Cross River State Government which the neighboring Akwa Ibom State government has consistently protested against.

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