By Admin
The Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Rt. Peter Odey, on Friday, expressed concern over the prolonged neglect of the Bakassi Peninsula and its inhabitants, calling for urgent intervention from both national and international stakeholders.
Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the Nigeria International Coastal Border Platform in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Odey described the situation in Bakassi as a case of โinternational, African and national abandonmentโ since the area was ceded to Cameroon in 2012.
โOur people have been living as strangers in their own country for over a decade. The ceding of Bakassi was unjust and unholy, and to this day, no significant support has been extended to the affected communities,โ he said.
The summit, held at CEEDAPEG Hotel, brought together deputy governors from Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Lagos, Ogun and Ondo States, alongside representatives of the Chief of Naval Staff, the National Boundary Commission, members of the National and State Assemblies, traditional rulers and maritime experts.
The meeting also addressed the need for community-based surveillance, revenue allocation for coastal security, investment in maritime transport, and integrating climate change resilience into border governance policies.
At the end of the summit, a 10-point communiquรฉ was presented by the Chairman of the Platform and Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, outlining measures to enhance cooperation among coastal states. The resolutions, jointly signed by all the participating deputy governors, also emphasised expanding social infrastructure and fostering continuous engagement between coastal communities and their neighbours.
Declaring the summit open, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno, stressed the importance of unity among Nigeriaโs coastal states in tackling security, environmental and economic challenges. He said the platform would serve as a vital mechanism for protecting national borders and driving sustainable development in the maritime sector.
