Nigeria will not cede more C'river territories to Cmr - Senate Leader

Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), has stated that Nigeria is working seriously to ensure that more territories from Cross River State are not ceded again to Cameroon, her central African neighbour.

In August 2008, Nigeria formally handed over Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon in compliance with the October 10, 2002 judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ), and the spirit of the Green Tree Agreement signed by both countries.

Ndoma-Egba stated this following fears being expressed by the people of Danare community, Boki Local Government Area of the state that the United Nations- Nigeria-Cameroon Mixed Commission would cede parts of the community to Cameroon as the tracing of the boundaries of both countries continue.

Speaking yesterday with journalists in Ikom, about 300 kilometres from Calabar, shortly after briefing members of his constituency, Cross River Central senatorial district, Ndoma-Egba promised that Nigeria is doing a lot towards addressing the boundary dispute involving Danare, adding that the issues involved in the boundary demarcation have been clearly understood.

The senate leader told the people that using only international boundaries by the United Nations where traditional boundaries also exist, could make the state lose a lot of its territory. He said the Senate Committee on Judiciary, state and local government were mandated to investigate the issues when he raised it on the floor of the upper legislative chamber.

He stated that a public hearing on the boundary issue was held with relevant stakeholders and Danare community in attendance. He also spoke on some federal projects going on in the state, saying the African Development Bank (AfDB)-assisted Trans-African Highway would be extended to the Okuku -Okpoma Road and will connect Mbock to Ndok Junction.

Ndoma-Egba said the East-West Road which was currently under construction will be extended from Oron to Calabar. Before speaking to the journalists, Ndoma-Egba had addressed a large gathering of members of the constituency on the need for them to fully participate in the forthcoming distribution of Permanent Voters' Cards (PVCs), and the continuous registration of voters to be conducted in the state this month by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Ndoma-Egba urged them and all people of the state of voting age to fully participate in the forthcoming issuance of PVCs and continuous registration of voters by the INEC.

He said his appeal was not only to the people of his party the PDP, but to everybody irrespective of party affiliation. The Senate Leader told them that INEC would issue PVCs to legible voters in the state on August 15 to 17, while the continuous registration of voters would hold from August 20 to 25. He stressed the importance of the two exercises, saying it was important for every Cross Riverian that registered to get his or her PVC while those of them who have attained the age of 18 years should register because the data provides the basic statistics for planning and other activities that will be of benefit to the state and its people.

The Senate Leader called for mass participation by Cross Riverians because their voting strength would attract a lot of benefits. "People must understand and appreciate the power of their votes" Ndoma-Egba stated. The Senate Leader also advised the people to understand the importance of their mandate through which they can determine the choice of their leaders.

He said the electorate would take ownership of the electoral process if they troop out in their large numbers to participate in both exercise.