Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba Advocates For Clear Boundary Demarcation Between Cross River & Ebonyi States

While moving a motion in the floor of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Etaba noted that the conflicts between the border communities of Cross River and Ebonyi States has been on for over a century; accompanied with wanton destruction of lives and properties.
He also revealed that as in March, 2019, it was reported that the conflict has claimed more than 3,000 lives excluding those who lost some parts of their bodies and became disabled.

He further added that these border communities have in several occasions convoked peace talks which had always yielded little or no results;

He recalled that a robust stakeholders meeting aimed at finding a permanent solution to the problem was called at the instance of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (lPCR), the stakeholders meeting had in attendance representatives from the various warring communities, particularly, the people of Abi, Biase, Obubra, Yala Local Government Areas of Cross River State, and Izzi, Ikwo, Abakaliki Local Government Areas of Ebonyi State;
He further stated that the office of the secretary to the Government of the Federation, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), National Boundary Commission, National Orientation Agency, federal lawmakers representing the stipulated areas, traditional rulers were all present in the meeting to deliberate on the way forward and how to bring about the required permanent solution to the persistent crisis but till this day no concrete solution has been found nor provided.

Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba re-emphasized that the main aim of convoking the various stakeholders meetings was among other things, to lay a foundation and create a conducive atmosphere for the National Boundary Commission to commence demarcation of the boundaries between the warring communities;
he believes that the relative peaceful atmosphere existing in the warring communities today is as a result of those peace initiatives and communal efforts.

He also disclosed that there is no better time than now to put every possible machinery in motion to bring about permanent peace and tranquility to the warring communities by putting an end to the constant killings and random destruction of lives and properties.

He resolved to:
(i) Urge the National Boundary Commission to as a matter of urgency commence and complete the demarcation of the boundaries between Cross River State and Ebonyi State;

(ii) Mandate the committee on Legislative Compliance (when constituted) to ensure that the resolutions of the house are complied with accordingly.

The motion moved by Rt. Hon. Mike Etaba on the need for a clear boundary demarcation between Cross River and Ebonyi States was seconded by Rt. Hon. Ahmad Aminu Chindo Representing Katsina Central Constituency. The motion was also voted on, adopted and referred to the House Committee on Special Duties when constituted.