The Nigerian House of Representatives at its plenary on Wednesday halted plans by the Joint Technical Team, JTT of the Cameroon-Nigerian Mixed Commission, CNMC to cede nearly 10,000 hectares of land in central Cross River State to the Republic of Cameroon as part of the October 10, 2002 ruling of the International Court of Justice.
This followed the adoption of a motion on the demarcation of Danare and Biajua communities in Boki Local Government Area which was jointly presented by the Cross River caucus in the House in what was a historic moment.
All eight members from the State from three different political parties were listed as sponsors of the motion which CrossRiverWatch gathered was instigated by the member representing the Ikom/Boki federal constituency, Hon. Victor Abang.
The JTT is said to be considering a straight line delineation since it could not locate pillar 113A which as per the Anglo-German treaty is 9.6 kilometers from pillar 113 and leads to pillar 114 which falls in Agbokim in Etung Local Government Area.
The lawmakers reasoned that if “urgent actions are not taken by the Federal Government, the entire country will lose the good people of Danare, Biajua, and some parts of Obanliku Local Government Area of Cross River State to the Republic of Cameroon.”
They also expressed concern that “the missing pillar 113A may have been deliberately removed by the Cameroonian government in their plot to take over the land and the people of Danare and Biajua communities,” and that, “if a country like Nigeria keeps losing her people, lands, and natural and mineral resources to her neighboring countries, one day we may not have a place called Nigeria.”
The House accordingly had three resolutions which included urging the CNMC to, “report the Anglo-German agreement of 1913 as adopted by the ICJ by tracing and maintaining the original location of the pillar 113A in the forest.”
Also, the House resolved to invite, “the Director General of the National Boundary Commission and Surveyor General of the Federation to answer why pillar 113A has not been found.”
Furthermore, the House resolved to, “set up an Ad-hoc committee to investigate and assess the case of potential land encroachment by the Cameroonian Government and consult with legal experts, land surveyors, and other relevant professionals to ensure a thorough understanding of the technical aspect involved in resolving the encroachment.”
