NBC Moves To Resume Edo, Kogi Boundary Demarcation

The National Boundary Commission (NBC) has reaffirmed key resolutions supporting Edo State’s position on the peaceful and lawful resolution of the lingering interstate boundary dispute between it and Kogi State.

This followed a Joint Meeting of Officials held in Abuja, and presided over by the Director-General of the Commission, Surv. Adamu A. Adaji.

In a press statement, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr. Patrick Ebojele, said the meeting brought together representatives of the two affected states and federal technical agencies to review progress and facilitate the resumption of the stalled boundary monumentation exercise.

Leading Edo State’s delegation, Deputy Governor and chairman of the Edo State Boundary Committee, Hon. Dr. Dennis Idahosa, reaffirmed the state’s unwavering commitment to a peaceful and technically sound demarcation process.

Idahosa said the mutually agreed boundary alignment endorsed in 2006 remained a critical milestone that provides a solid legal and technical foundation for concluding the exercise.

“The 2006 mutually agreed boundary alignment remains valid and provides the necessary legal and technical framework for the completion of the monumentation exercise. What is required now is collective action to address the challenges that previously stalled the process,” he said.

He emphasised the need for immediate resumption of monumentation in the interest of affected communities, noting that Edo State remained committed to constructive engagement with federal authorities and Kogi State government.

Technical briefings presented at the meeting confirmed that the Internal Boundary Technical Committee (IBTC) approved the Edo/Kogi boundary in 2006 using Legal Notice 126 of 1954. Both states had earlier adopted the agreed alignment, with monumentation commencing in 2007 before being disrupted by resistance from some border communities.

The confirmations, stakeholders noted, reinforced Edo State’s long-standing position that the boundary framework was already established and only required completion of the monumentation process.

Resolutions reached at the meeting included the provision of large-scale maps of the agreed boundary to Edo State by the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation and the NBC.

The Commission is also expected to interface with Edo State to arrange early resumption of monumentation, while the state government will undertake targeted enlightenment and sensitization of affected border communities in collaboration with traditional institutions.

In addition, the Federal Government and the affected states are to jointly identify pillar sites ahead of full resumption of fieldwork, with adequate security to be provided to ensure smooth operations.