‘Never again’ — Otu says Cross River will not cede more lands to Cameroon

Bassey Otu, Cross River governor, has told the federal government that the state will not allow any part of its lands to be ceded to Cameroon again.

He referred to previous ceding of the state’s lands, in compliance with a 2002 judgment of the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Otu, who was represented by his chief of staff, Emmanuel Ironbar, made this known during the public hearing organised by the house of representatives ad hoc committee.

The committee is investigating the land tussle between Danare and Biajua communities in Boki local government area.

Otu said the state is still nursing the consequences of the loss of Bakassi and its 76 oil wells which he believes can still be revisited.

He urged the committee to invite relevant stakeholders involved in the loss of the oil rich Peninsula, so as to get to the root of the matter.

Beni Lar, chairman of the committee, while addressing stakeholders and the press at the public hearing, said the committee has been mandated to review and investigate the looming international boundary dispute.

“Our mission is to carry out the mandate of the house of representatives which passed a resolution on Wednesday,  July 5, 2023 on the need to investigate the circumstances leading to the international boundary dispute between Nigeria  and Cameroon,” he said.

He said part of the mission is to also unravel “the circumstances that led to the non-traceability and displacement of a very vital international pillar 113A in the demarcation of the boundaries between Nigeria and the Cameroon”.

“We are here to visit the points of turmoil, which we did today before this session began,” he said.

Some of the stakeholders who presented position papers at the hearing, expressed their disappointment over the federal government’s attitude.