The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, has called on the National Boundary Commission (NBC) to ensure that the interstate boundaries involving the state and its five neighbouring states are resolved immediately.
Sir Onyeme made the call on Friday in Asaba during an advocacy visit of officials of the NBC, led by its Director-General, Surveyor Adamu Adaji.
The deputy governor stated that this will put an end to a series of lingering contentious challenges associated with various interstate boundaries with Delta State.
He urged the NBC to urgently resolve the boundary disputes between Delta, Edo, and Ondo states.
“It is the desire of the Delta State Government that the NBC should fast-track amicable resolutions. It is pertinent to also accord equal attention to other interstate boundaries involving Delta/Ondo, and other similar boundaries, with a view to ensuring that all five interstate boundaries involving Delta State are resolved amicably in the shortest possible time,” Onyeme said.
He commended the Commission for the various activities carried out over the years on interstate boundary disputes involving Delta State, despite the stalemate experienced in actual delineation.
“On our part, the Delta State Boundary Committee has made several efforts to appeal to our communities to live in peace and harmony with their neighbours, to enhance the spirit of peaceful co-existence at the interstate level, which is in line with the MORE Agenda of His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori’s-led administration.
“There cannot be sustainable development in the absence of peace and security, as such, the Government of Delta State has confidence in the ability of the National Boundary Commission, as empowered by law, to do justice to the various interstate boundaries involving the state, for the betterment of its citizens,” he added.
He expressed the confidence of the Delta State people that the Commission will address every stalemate regarding contentious interstate boundary issues after the visit.
Meanwhile, Adaji said the meeting provided an avenue to meet with the State Boundary Committee to discuss the planned works on the Delta/Edo Interstate Boundary for better synergy.
“Delta State shares a common interstate boundary with Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo, Ondo and Rivers States, and I am pleased to inform Your Excellency that the dispute resolution and boundary definition process with respect to each of the interstate boundaries with other states has received the attention of the Commission,” he said.
Among the top government officials at the meeting are the Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Chief Emamusi Obiodeh; the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Delta State, Mr Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, SAN; among others.
