RSG Pulls-Out From Boundary Demarcation Exercise With Bayelsa

By Chioma Andy

Rivers State Government said it was pulling out of the ongoing boundary delineation exercise between it and Bayelsa State until certain conditions are met.

Deputy Governor and Chairman of the State Boundary Commission, Engr. Tele Ikuru, said this during the Joint Meeting of Officials on Rivers/Bayelsa Inter-State Boundary Commission in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on 1st February 2013.

He stated the reason for the pull out as a result of undermined efforts to an amicable resolution of the dispute.

He said that Bayelsa State was unilaterally enjoying the resources from the disputed areas. ‘‘We cannot sit and watch our resources being taken away from us unjustly,’’ the deputy governor said.

Ikuru said that the agreement that Bayelsa State would refund revenues paid to it from the escrow account by both parties so as to return to the status quo had not been fulfilled.

Also the agreement that Bayelsa State would not handle the revenues from the disputed areas in the escrow account alone had been breached.

Engr. Ikuru added that the deductions were made in spite of a subsisting order of the Supreme Court.

He revealed that the Federal Government through its agencies has paid about N27billion to Bayelsa State being revenue accruing from the disputed oil wells in Soku, Kula, Idama, amongst others, urging the Federal Government to stop such illegal payments.

Responding, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd.), said boundary disputes are issues most likely to arise between communities that share common borders.

He therefore expressed optimism that the issues would be resolved. He however urged both parties to be open-minded in their efforts at resolving the dispute, reminding them that ‘‘they are people of the same environment.’’

Speaking at the meeting, Director General of the National Boundary Commission (NBC), Dr. Mohammed Ahmed, in his words said, ‘‘As crucial as boundary matters are, it is imperative to handle them in a manner that both parties would be at peace,’’ and assured the Commission that they would fashion out an amicable solution to the crisis.

He went further to say that the purpose of the commission getting involved was to make sure that things were done in the right way. ‘‘We are here to re-examine the technical reports on the unresolved issues on the boundary, not to take sides...though it’s a delicate one, but we will ensure the matter is resolved according to the Supreme Court order,’’ Ahmed said

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At the end of the meeting, a Communiqué was made with the participants taking a decision to discontinue the boundary delineation exercise based on the stand of Rivers State to pull out of the process.