The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially suspended a controversial plan that would have seen the country cede more than 10,000 hectares of its territory to the Republic of Cameroon. This decisive action follows serious concerns raised about improper procedures in demarcating the international boundary between the two nations.
Lawmaker Exposes Flawed Demarcation Process
The disclosure was made by the lawmaker representing the Ikom/Boki Federal Constituency, Mr. Victor Abang. He addressed the issue during a constituency briefing held on Wednesday in Keyang II, located within the Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State.
Abang explained that the proposed land transfer was connected to the implementation of the 2002 International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling. This ruling mandated that the Nigeria-Cameroon boundary be delineated according to the terms of the historic 1913 Anglo-German Treaty.
Historic Pillar Ignored, Territory at Risk
According to the legislator, a joint implementation committee tasked with the demarcation had attempted to carry out its work without proper respect for established colonial boundary markers. A critical oversight was the failure to reference Pillar 113A, a long-recognized demarcation point between both countries.
"Failure to observe this historic boundary would have resulted in the loss of more than 10,000 hectares of Nigerian territory," Abang stated. He emphasized that the affected areas would have included sections of the Biajua and Danare communities in Boki, directly impacting Nigerian citizens and land.
Legislative Intervention Halts the Exercise
The lawmaker revealed that he had presented a formal motion on this critical matter on July 5, 2023. The House of Representatives deliberated on the motion, which ultimately led to the Federal Government's decision to suspend the entire boundary demarcation exercise. The suspension will remain in effect pending a comprehensive and proper review of the process.
During the same briefing, Abang presented a two-year performance scorecard titled "The Banjuere." He highlighted several completed projects for his constituency, including:
- The construction of a mini stadium.
- The installation of telecommunications masts that have connected 35 communities.
- The provision of medical equipment valued at N300 million.
Advancing Conservation Through Legislation
Beyond the boundary issue, Abang disclosed his sponsorship of the National Park Service Amendment Bill. This proposed legislation aims to bolster environmental conservation efforts. A key provision seeks to establish the Okwangwo National Park Unit as an independent entity.
The lawmaker expressed confidence that the bill, when passed, would significantly enhance the economic, ecological, and developmental value of the Boki forest and the communities that depend on it.
