CSOs Demand Probe Of 780 Hectares Maritime Water Loss In C’River

A coalition of 46 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has called for the establishment of a Presidential Special Investigation Panel to examine the circumstances surrounding the loss of approximately 780 hectares of Nigerian maritime waters in the Cross River estuary.

The coalition under the platform of Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA) made the call in a communique issued in Abuja on Thursday.

Presenting the communique, Director General of the Centre, Dr Gabriel Nwambu, said CCLCA in strategic collaboration with 12 frontline rights organisations uncovered critical data regarding the ownership status between Cross River State and Akwa Ibom state.

He explained that the dialogue brought together 46 Civil Society Organisations to deliberate on these findings and propose a sustainable roadmap for regional peace and administrative clarity.

“The Civil Society coalition respectfully recommends the following urgent actions -immediate Presidential review of the 2024 and 2025 Inter-Agency Committee Reports on oil well verification and derivation allocation affecting Cross River and Akwa Ibom States.

“Immediate Presidential directive for the proper demarcation of the Nigeria–Cameroon maritime boundary within the Cross River maritime corridor in accordance with the 2002 ICJ judgment map.

“Establishment of a Presidential Special Investigation Panel to examine the circumstances surrounding the loss of approximately 780 hectares of Nigerian maritime waters within the Cross River Estuary.

“Immediate forensic audit of all revenues and derivation payments relating to the Ekanga and Zafiro transboundary oil fields. Investigation into the alleged unilateral approval of N33 billion in payments from the Federation Account without Presidential authorisation.

“Urgent diplomatic engagement with Cameroon for the negotiation of transboundary reservoir development agreements for the 49 identified reservoir continuity wells within

OML 114. Restoration and recognition of Cross River State’s littoral status based on the geographic and legal status of the Cross River,” the communique reads in parts.

Also in his brief remarks, one of the investigators, Prof Sam Amadi, said the tour was mind-boggling, hence the urgent need for the Federal Government to establish an independent panel to probe the various positions taken over the Cross River State and Akwa Ibom border dispute.