Kogi State Government has once again reiterated its resolve and determination to provide adequate security that will ensure the safety of the Joint field team, constituted by the National Boundary Commission to trace the boundary between Kogi and Anambra States when it arrives Odeke.
Kogi State Deputy Governor, Yomi Awoniyi and Chairman, State Boundary Committee gave the assurance at Onyedega, Ibaji Local Government Area, at a stakeholders meeting to prepare ground for a peaceful conduct of demarcation exercise on Kogi/Anambra Inter-State boundary (Odeke Axis), slated for 12th-17th May, 2014.
The Odeke axis of Kogi/Anambra Inter-State Boundary has been engaged in conflict since Orient Petroleum Resources PLC commissioned its Early Production Facility on 30th August, 2012.
The feud was ignited by the pronouncement that Anambra State has joined the league of oil producing states in Nigeria, by virtue of oil exploited from wells located along the boundary of Kogi and Anambra States.
Awoniyi restated the need to collectively protect the field team to enable it complete its assignment in surveying the remaining turning points around Odeke axis.
The Deputy Governor described an attack on Orient Petroleum as an attack on Kogi State, urged the youths to see Orient as their property and work towards protecting it.
Awoniyi assured that the Kogi State Government is not particular about oil but boundary issues that is not to the detriment of the livelihood and prosperity of its people.
He said the State’s concern is about rights to farm lands and fishing rights but appealed to the youths not to resort to measures that will hinder the speedy completion of the field tracing.
Awoniyi appealed for peace and safety for the field team to carry out its assignment, solicited the cooperation and support of the kith and kin of Ibaji People to enable the Joint Field Team track the fieldwork during its forth coming assignment in Odeke.
Awoniyi called on the Police and State Security Service to be alert and to provide extra security at Odeke during the exercise. He also enjoined residents of the area to support and complement the efforts of security agencies.
According to the Deputy Governor, 2013 field tracing exercise, which is based on description of the boundary as contained in Legal Notice No 126 of 1954 intended to provide data for comparison with previous survey, suffered setback even though the exercise attained some level of completion.
Efforts to survey the Odeke axis he added suffered two setbacks caused by the 2012 flood and prevalence of water hyacinth,which made it difficult to access the area. Secondly, he said alleged security concern and reluctance by Anambra people in the team to continue with the field tracing led to the suspension of the Joint Field Team to suspend its field work on 10th March, 2014.
The Deputy Governor called on the people to display a high level of understanding so that the directives and intervention of President Goodluck Jonathan towards having a quick resolution to the age long feud will be realized.
The Kogi Anambra boundary was last surveyed in 2008. The survey produced two parallel boundary lines based on the divergent claims of the two states. This, compelled the 2013 field tracing exercise partly completed.
Awoniyi, eschewed for peace, called on the people to remain calm, patient until all issues in disputed areas are resolved.
In his remarks, Dave Ogu Chairman of Ibaji LGA, assured of adequate sensitization that will lead to the field tracing.
Mr Ogu pledged his council’s commitment to ensuring peace and security and solicited calmness from the youths and communities to allow for exploration, even as the field tracing exercise is on-going.
Also speaking, HRH John Egwemi, Onu Ibaji, said he will intensify efforts at the sensitization of his people towards making the next field tracing exercise a success.
The Royal Father called on the youths not to take laws into their hands but to be law abiding until all issues surrounding the field tracing are completed.
John Ojiade, and Ameh Benjamin, youth leaders from Odeke community called for more interaction between the communities and the oil exploration companies in their communities, but assured of their cooperation that will allow for peaceful demarcation of the boundaries.
In his Technical Report, Mr Olarewaju, the State Secretary of Boundary Committee, said four out of the seven turning points are yet to be surveyed and said issues surrounding the tripartite point is also yet to be solved, but restated his committees readiness to the completion of the field tracing.
The meeting which went into an interactive session, assured of the resoluteness of the boundary community’s in Kogi State to having the field tracing completed.
