By Christiana Ekpa
The House of Representatives Ad- hoc Committee on International Boundary Dispute Between Nigeria and Cameroon on Thursday called for swift action to be taken to prevent the loss of another Cross River State territory to Cameroon just like Bakassi.
The Danare and Biajua communities and about 7,000 to 10,000 hectares of land in the Boki Area of Cross River State risk being lost Cameroon according to a motion by eight out of 10 lawmakers from the state last week.
The lawmakers, in the motion that was presented by Hon Victor Abang, had said this was as a result of the non location of pillar 113A by the technical committee of the Cameroon- Nigeria mixed Commission.
The House had deliberated and resolved to constitute the committee to investigate and assess the case of potential land encroachment by the Cameroonian Government and to ensure a thorough understanding of the security implication of the dispute and of the technical aspects involved in resolving the dispute.
Chairman of the Ad hoc Committee, Beni Lar, who addressed reporters on Thursday, said the Ad hoc Committee was deeply concerned about the potential loss of a significant landmass and Nigerian citizens residing within it to the Cameroon Republic.
This alarming possibility, following the previous loss of the Bakassi Peninsula, Lar said, underscores the urgent need for immediate action to outline the correct border stretch between the two countries.
She urged all stakeholders to coordinate a swift resolution of the dispute in order to prevent Loss of Land and Citizens to the Republic of Cameroon.
