Members of the state boundary committee has been inaugurated with a charged on them to exhibit high sense of maturity, integrity and impartiality in the discharge of their duties.
Speaking during the inauguration held at Aguiyi Ironsi Conference Center, Umuahia, the deputy Governor and the Chairman of the Committee , Engr Ikechukwu Emetu said that Abia state bounded by seven states of Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers have boundary challenges with some of the states.
Engr Emetu said that the administration of Dr Alex Otti assumed office at the most difficult period of the history of the state.
” The problems we inherited from past administration are enormous and overwhelming.
Despite those daunting difficulties, we have managed to keep the machinery of government operational because of our avowed commitment to offer selfless and quality service to our people who have suffered deprivation and neglect over the years.
He reiterated that they do not have any other business being in governance than to serve the people.
Engr Emetu said the present government has come to re- write the history of the state and that the challenges posed by intra and inter – state boundaries would receive huge attention.
The deputy governor used the opportunity to warn warring boarder communities in the state to abide by government decisions and directive or risk losing the entire community lands to the government.
He listed the committee’s terms of reference to include, to deal with intra and inter state boundary disputes with a view to solving them, monitor trans border relations with neighboring states to promoting inter community relationship and evaluate development needs of border areas and advise government accordingly.
Others are to carry out enlightenment campaign to create general awareness among the public that boundaries are meant for administrative purposes and not barrier to interaction ,as well as carry out demarcation of any resolved boundaries within the state and encourage negotiated settlement of boundaries dispute in preference to court action.
He maintained that govt has no other business than to serve the people adding that the challenges posed by intra and inter state boundaries would receive huge attention.
Those in the committee are Barr Oge Nnamani Maduka Permanent Secretary, Office of the SSG / Secretary of the Committee,
Sir Chris Nwanevu member. Surv N.I.C.C. Abaraonye, State Surveyor General.Surv Nwankwo Ikechukwu member, Dennis Igbo member, Nwogu Florence( PHD member Paul Ogubunka. Director of DSS member, Commissioner for Police, member.
Speaking, the consultant to the state on boundary matters, Sir Chris Nwanevu gave an overview of boundary matters in the state and disclosed that demarcation of Ndimneme and Ndi ojiaku Abam, Arochukwu local government would commence on Wednesday, this week and appealed to the warring factions to sheath their sword and allow peace to reign.
