Rivers State Government says it is pulling out of the ongoing boundary delineation exercise between it and Bayelsa State until certain conditions are fulfilled.
The State Deputy Governor and Chairman of the State Boundary Commission, Engr. Tele lkuru, said this during the Joint Meeting of officials on Rivers/Bayelsa Inter-State Boundary in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Engr. Ikuru stated that present efforts at an amicable resolution of the dispute has been undermined as Bayelsa State is unilaterally enjoying the resources from the disputed areas, stating the conditions as refund of the revenues paid out to Bayelsa State from the escrow account, retention of the revenues from the disputed areas in the escrow account and both parties to return to the status quo.
He explained that deductions from the joint escrow account of the two States are being made inspite of a subsisting order of the Supreme Court, insisting that “we cannot sit and watch our resources being taken away from us unjustly” noting 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.
Earlier, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd.), said boundary disputes are common issues most likely to arise between communities that share common borders, expressing optimism that the roadmap that we produce today would be able to lead us to the Promise Land,” urging both parties to be open-minded in their efforts at resolving the dispute, reminding them that “they are people of the same environment”.
Also speaking, Director General of the National Boundary Commission (NBC), Dr Mohammed Ahmed, noted that “ crucial as boundary matters are, it is imperative to handle them in a manner that both parties would be at peace,” assuring that the Commission will do all it could to fashion out an amicable solution to the crisis.
“We are here to re-examine the technical reports on the resolved issues on the boundary, not to take sides,” promising to adhere to President Jonathan’s instruction on the matter, stating that “though it’s a delicate one but we will ensure the matter is resolved according to the Supreme Court order”.
A Communiqué was adopted at the end of the meeting which the participants took the decision to discontinue the boundary delineation exercise based on the stance of Rivers State to pull out of the process.
