CRITICAL stakeholders have called for the creation of a platform for the Deputy Governors cum Chairmen of State Boundary Committees along the Nigeria’s Coastal States.
This was part of resolutions reached at a one-day workshop for the creation of platform for Nigeria’s coastal states and local government areas with theme, “Towards a secure, peaceful and prosperous borders,” held at Unity Hall, Government House, Asaba.
The Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori declared the workshop which was organised by the National Boundary Commission (NBC) on Wednesday and had in attendance the Deputy Governor of Delta State, Sir Monday Onyeme, FCA, open.
In the communiqué jointly signed by Sen. Lawrence Ewrudjakpo, Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State for Deputy Governors/Chairmen of State Boundary Committees and Surv. Adamu Adaji, Director-General of National Boundary Commission for Federal Government Agencies, stated, that there is “urgent need for the selection of Chairman of the Local Border platforms in each of the border states as well as Chairman of the Local Government Border Authorities for the entire Nigeria’s Coastal State for effective coordination, the need for the platforms in each of the states to have an integrated membership that comprises Chairmen of the border Local Governments, Traditional rulers, representatives of various security agencies, youths and women leaders in border state.
“The need to select the Chairman for the traditional rulers and Surveyor-Generals of the state for effective coordination, the need for the hosting of this workshop bi-annually to review the progress of the platform and report back to the National Consultative Forum (NCF) for Chairmen of States Boundary Committees of Nigeria’s Border States and that the platforms should strategize on ways of enhancing border security and combat cross border challenges to prevent illicit activities along the maritime borders.
“The workshop called for the need to enhance security and development of the Coastal Communities in line with the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA); it also called on the National Boundary Commission to fast-track the resolution of border disputes for peaceful coexistence and good neighbourliness and that the National Boundary Commission would serve as the coordinating secretariat for all platforms.”
Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Prof Ngozi Odu was at the workshop while her counterparts in Ogun, Cross Rivers, and Akwa Ibom States sent representatives.
Traditional rulers and officials of Federal Agencies were also at the workshop.
