Reps Investigate Ceding Of Sina Kamale To Cameroon

The House of Representatives Ad-hoc Committee on International Boundary Dispute, have visited Yola to investigate moves to cede Sina Kamale Area in Michika local government area to Cameroon.

Briefing Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri at the Government House, Yola, yesterday, chairperson of the Ad hoc Committee, Hon Beni Lar said they are in the state on fact finding mission about the issue.

Lar, who also chairs the House Committee on Human Rights added that her team may visit the disputed boundary communities to conduct fact finding verification and public hearings.

She said the committee will assess the case with a mandate to ensure thorough understanding and proffer solution to the disputes and report to the House, in two weeks.

Responding, Governor Umaru Fintiri said nine LGAs of the state that include Toungo, Fufore, Ganye, Jada, Maiha Mubi North, Mubi South, Michika and Madagali share boundary with Cameroun.

The governor who went down memory lane to narrate the disputes between border communities of Nigeria and Cameroon over land encroachment, reeled out possible measures to address the problem.

He disclosed that following the ruling of International Court of Justice, the ceding of some communities to Cameroon has faced stiff resistance and protests particularly in Madagali, Michika, Mubi North and South and Maiha.

He therefore advocated that the National Boundary Commission and Cameroun Nigeria Mixed Commission should provide the state government with modus operandi of their activities along the state boundaries with a view to review where necessary.

He also called for the provision of social amenities and infrastructure by federal and state governments in the affected areas and to ensure the wishes of the communities along the borderline are fulfilled in line with ICJ judgement.

“Our stand as state government is that all relevant stakeholders should go back to our former traditional boundaries where both parties already have their areas of jurisdiction,” he said.

It would be recalled that Hon Zakaria Dauda Nyampa, representing Michika and Madagali, requested for thorough investigation on the matter.