Reps transfer to halt plan to cede Nigerian communities to Cameroon

The Home of Representatives has resolved to cease ongoing plans to cede the Danare and Biajua communities within the Boki Native Authorities Space of Cross River of Nigeria to the Republic of Cameroon.

This adopted the adoption of a movement collectively sponsored by members of the Cross River Caucus, who solicited the Home’s intervention.

Victor Abang (APC-Cross River), whereas talking on behalf of the Cross River Caucus, recalled that on 10 October 2002, the Worldwide Court docket of Justice (ICJ) dominated that the proprietorship of the Bakassi peninsula belonged to Cameroon.

He stated this was because of an settlement between the governments of Nigeria and Cameroon through the civil conflict.

He additionally stated in July 2012, the Supreme Court docket dominated that Cross River had no proper of possession of over 76 oil wells as a result of lack of its littoral standing.

In accordance with him, this was when parts of the peninsula had been ceded to Cameroon by the federal authorities.

“The ICJ ruling decides the retracing of the Cameroon-Nigeria Worldwide Boundary line from the Lake Chad area (Yola) to the Atlantic Ocean (Bakassi); subsequently United Nations (UN) arrange two committees to implement the judgment.

He stated this led to the institution of the Cameroon-Nigeria Blended Fee (CNMC) made up of representatives from Nigeria, Cameroon and officers of the United Nations.

“The fieldwork, which entails the placement of the boundary factors and placement of boundary pillars by the judgment, was undertaken by a Joint Technical Workforce (JTT), a sub-body of the Cameroon-Nigeria blended fee.

He added that with each nations’ representatives on the JTT, the technical experience was equipped by a international contractor and paid for by the CNMC.

“Cognizant that the sphere train or demarcation carried out by the JTT should be an adopted demarcation in any sector thought-about legitimate and conclusive by the CNMC.

“The Anglo-German settlement of the Cameroon-Nigeria boundary of 12 April 1913 indicated 114 boundary pillars from the Lake Chad area (Yola Adamawa State) to Agbokim in Etung native authorities space of Cross River.”

He stated it was planted by the Anglo-German and had serial numbers written on the pillars, six of the boundary pillars fall inside the Danare neighborhood in Boki native authorities space of Cross River.

In accordance with him, this consists of; 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, and 113A, respectively.

“The Anglo-German settlement clearly states that the contextual pillar 113A is 9.6 Km from pillar 113 into the forest resulting in pillar 114 that fall in Agbokim in Etung native authorities space.”

He expressed fear that the JTT had not situated pillar 113A and never traced pillar 113A, however they plan to undertake a straight-line technique, resulting in shedding Danare and Biajua communities.

He stated about 7,000–10,000 hectares of land within the Boki Space of Cross River had been ceded to the Republic of Cameroon.

The lawmaker argued that beneath the ideas of federalism, the federal authorities was answerable for defending the territorial integrity of all federating models.

He stated the federal authorities had no proper to unilaterally cede, promote, mortgage, or allocate any a part of a federating unit to a different nation with out the consent of the Home.

He stated the dearth of concerted effort by the JTT to hint a crucial pillar level that might decide the proper boundary line had generated controversy.

”The staff understands that they’re missing of their task as a result of a crucial pillar is but to be retraced, as a substitute of the staff going again and doing the needful, they proposed a straight-line projection to shut the hole between pillars 113 to 114.

“If the federal authorities doesn’t take pressing actions, the nation will lose the great individuals of Danare, Biajua and a few components of the Obanliku space of Cross River to the Republic of Cameroon.

“Cross River might lose the great individuals of Danare and Biajua Communities and their ancestral heritage of the land that they’ve protected all their lives to the Republic of Cameroon in opposition to their needs and wishes.”

He stated the Cameroonian authorities may need intentionally eliminated the lacking pillar 113A of their plot to take over the land and the individuals of Danare and Biajua communities.

He stated if a rustic like Nigeria stored shedding its individuals, lands, and pure and mineral sources to its neighbouring nations, sooner or later, the nation may not have a spot referred to as Nigeria.

The Home, nonetheless, resolved to ask the Director Common of the Nationwide Boundary Fee and Surveyor Common of the Federation to elucidate why pillar 113A had not been discovered.

The Home additionally resolved to analyze and assess the case of potential land encroachment by the Cameroonian authorities and seek the advice of with authorized specialists, land surveyors, and different related professionals.

This, in accordance with the Home, is to make sure an intensive understanding of the technical facet concerned in ending the encroachment whereas additionally organising an advert hoc committee for additional legislative motion

(NAN)