NBC flags off Benue/Cross River interstate boundary field verification exercise

The National Boundary Commission (NBC) has flagged off the field verification of the status of the boundary pillars emplaced on the Benue/Cross River interstate boundary, preparatory to it’s actual demarcation.

The flag-off ceremony and inauguration of the Joint Field Team, which took place at Obanliku local government Secretariat, Sankwala, Cross River State was witnessed by Benue State deputy governor, Engr. Benson Abounu, and his Cross River State counterpart, Prof. Ivara Esu.

Speaking, the Director-General, NBC, Surveyor Adamu Adaji charged the technical Committee of experts, tasked with carrying out the assignment to discharge it with professionalism and utmost commitment, adding that the interest of the nation should be its guiding priority.

Engr, Benson Abounu, who is the chairman, Benue State Boundary Committee said the exercise is important to both the federal government and the governments of the two states because the determination of the actual work to be done, where it is to be done , and why it was not done would help the planning, and eventual decision on the boundary.

He called on the communities in the border corridor, particularly, people of Vandeikya, Konshisha, Kwande, and Oju local government areas of Benue State, and Obanliku, Yala, Bekwarra and Obudu local government areas of Cross Rivers State to cooperate with the joint field team as they carry out their assignment, adding that boundaries are not meant to divide people, rather, they are for administrative convenience.

Also speaking, the Cross Rivers State deputy governor, Prof. Esu expressed happiness with the commitment to the resolution of the boundary dispute shown by both Governor Samuel Ortom, and Engr Benson Abounu. He called on people from the two states to work together to ensure that they finally put to rest, the issue of boundary dispute between them.

The report of the work of the joint Technical Committee is expected to be submitted to the next joint meeting of officials of the two states and the NBC to hold next month in Makurdi, Benue State.