Governor Ikpeazu of Abia State2

Sam Obinna Ibe/Umahia

The governments of Abia and Ebonyi have pledged the cooperation of both states to end the lingerng boundary disputes while calling on the National Boundary Commisson to expedite actions in demarcation of their boundary.

This resolution was reached after the end of a joint meeting of officials of Abia/Ebonyi interstate boundary held 6 August 2015 at Aguiyi Ironsi Conference centre Umuahia, Abia State where both state governments restated their readiness to cooperate with the National boindary Commission to find a lasting solution to the lingering boundary demarcation disputes between two sister states.

In his welcome address, Abia state Deputy Governor, Ude Oko Chukwu, welcomed his visitors to the state and said that Abia state is ready and willing to ensure that their boundary with Ebonyi State is completely demarcated. He added that the state want to live in peace and harmony with their neigbours in Ebonyi state while commending his Ebonyi state colleague, Deputy Governor Eric Kelechi Igwe for the co-operation in hanling the recent disturbances at their boundary.

Governor Umahi of Ebonyi State

The Deputy Governor/Charman Abia state Boundary Committee further commended the National Boundary Commssion for her prompt response to their invitation and also lauded the president who ensures that peace reigns all over the country while hoping that federal government will give their states the necessary support towards the assignment.

On his part, the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State expressed his happiness over the success of the joint meeting of officials of both states held on 1 August 2015 at Umunneochi LGA Headquarters over the recent hostilities at the Amaeze and Amata/Lokpanta axis of their boundary. He added that he is glad that there is relative peace in the area and that the security agents are ensuring that peace continues to reign.

On his part, the Director-General National Boundary Commission emphasized the need for continuos peace amongst border communities so as to benefit maximally from the efforts of the states to develop the communities. He however commended the recent show of statesmanship by the two states at dousing the tension in a sector of the boundary. He also called on the youths to respect words of their elders and promote peaceful co-existence for a better tomorrow.

In seperate situation reports, Surveryor-General of the Federation and his counterparts from Abia and Ebonyi states agreed that though the relevant douments for use on the boundary have been identified and screened, the expected fieldwork had not been undertaken and therefore expressed their readiness for the fieldwork.

Meanwhile, after a friendly and fruitful deliberations, the meeting noted as follows:
a. That the recent problems in the Umunneochi/Ivo sector of the boundary was the result of conflicting claims of border communities of the two states.

b. That the two states promptly intervened in the problems of the sector and agreed on measures to be taken by the police and the affected communities.

c.That Chukwuma Akwa of Ivo LGA of Ebonyi State was reported still missing as aresult of the problems.

d.That both states are desirious for their common interstate boundary to be demarcated as quickly as possible. among others.

The meeting thereafter resolved as follows:
1.That the major stakeholders shall continue to encourage good neighbourliness throigh proper information dissemination.

11.That the relative peace on the boundary be sustained through the joint utilization of the border resources of both states by the border communities.

111.That four copies of any additional delimitation documents may be submitted to the National Boundary Commission on or before 30 August 2015 for consideration and use for their
fieldwork as appropriate.

iv:That three ( 3) technical experts of both states made up of the Surveyors-General and two other persons shall come to Abuja for the delineation of the bounary in accordance with already screened and accepted document from 1-4 Septrmber 2015.

v:That the police should release all detained people from both states as agreed in therrsolution of 1August 2015 to aid the return of normalcy to the troubled areas.

vi:That the security Agents in conjunction with the affected communities shall investigate the reported case of a missing Chukwunma Akwa of Ivo LGA of Ebonyi state and report to the two states on or before 20 August 2015.

vii: That the joint Field Team shall be inaugurated on 17 November2015 at Nkwoagu of Umunneochi local government Area of Abia State and the fieldwork shall commence at the Uru-Lokpanta axis and shall be completed on or before 18 December 2015.

viii: That the existing cooperation between the various border communities be enouraged by the Traditional Rulers and the Local Government Officials of both states.
ix: That adequate security shall be provided for the joint Field Team during the field exercise by both states.

x: That the Federal Government and the two states Governments shall provide funds,4-Wheel drive Vehicles and necessary logistic support to their represrntatives in the field exercise.
xi: That the two States Governments,Chairmen of the affected Local Government Areas and Traditional Rulers shall carry out joint enlightement campaign in the affected areas prior to and during the period of the field exercise and beyond

xii: That the status quo shall be maintained until the boundary is properly defined.