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The Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, has urged the National Assembly to revisit Decree 23 of 1985 on State Boundaries, in order to forestall lingering boundary crisis across the country.
Emetu opined that the Decree harbours a lot of ills against South East geopolitical zone.
Speaking at a 2-day National Assembly Boundary Community Stakeholders interface on security and socio-economic management of State Boundaries in Nigeria at Shehu Musa Yar’ Adua Centre, Abuja, Emetu decried the incessant boundary disputes in the South East following the said Decree.
He noted that clearly defined and demarcated boundaries imperative for peaceful co-existence and cross border co-operation as well as the clarity of the limits of constituted authorities.
According to a statement from his media team, Emetu, further noted that Abia shares boundaries with all states in South East plus Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River in South South.
He said some boarder communities in Abia were still having issues with some of their neighbours due to the 1985 injustice.
The Deputy Governor who called for peaceful resolution of boundary disputes, said no meaningful progress could be recorded in the country in the absence of peace.
Emetu reiterated the commitment of Abia Government to the resolution of boundary disputes, and solicited the help of the stakeholders in resolving boundary crisis involving some communities in the state.
He said:” Abia State calls for the revisit of the promulgation of decree 23 of 1985 on State Boundaries by the National Assembly to forestall lingering boundaries crisis across the country.
“That decree harbours a lot of ills against those of us from the South-Eastern States.
Continuing, “It is grossly unacceptable for a group of people without considering cultural affinity, traditional and homogeneous nature of people, before ceding their lands and drawing boundary lines without due consideration on varying critical factors, which evolved crisis, loss of lives.”
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