TUE 7TH AUG 2018

Written by: Onyeabor N. Ngene


The meeting was convened and co-chaired by both governors of Ebonyi State His Excellency Engr, Chief David Nweze Umahi and Cross River State His Excellency Prof. Ben A. Ayade.

Also in attendance were the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellency Chief Barr. Eric Kelechi Igwe Ph.D and other stakeholders from both states .

At the end of exhaustive and amicable deliberations both States resolved as follows:

1. That hostilities should stop immediately to make way for peace on all the five sectors that are in dispute namely Izzy/Yala, Abakaliki/Obubra, Ikwo/Obubra, Ikwo/Abi, and Afikpo South/Biase.

2.That within thirty days effective from 7th of August 2018, both states shall submit all documents of their boundary claims on each of the above mentioned five disputed sectors including but not limited to relevant legal instruments, maps and communiques of previous meetings on the said sectors.

3. That all documents shall be exchanged through the office of both states’ Deputy Governors. Each states’ reaction is expected to be returned within 30 days to enable both Governors review them and convene the next stakeholders meeting within 30 days.

4. That there shall be appointment of arbitrators including the National Boundary Commission, Abuja as the third arbitrator.

5. That in each of the disputed sectors, both states will appoint 10 leaders who shall be given power of attorney by the various communities to act on their behalf .

6. That both Governors directed representatives of the disputed communities in attendance in todays’ meeting to go back to their various communities and sensitize them on the way forward with a view to finding lasting solutions to the crisis at the disputed sectors.

7. That to ensure lasting peace and further cement the bond of brotherly love, both State Governors have agreed to embark on the following projects:

_i_ . Ebonyi State Government to build a bridge of about 600Meters linking Oferekpe in Ebonyi State with Ogada in Cross River State; whereas Cross River State shall build 7.2km road to link up with the federal high way coming in from Ogada to Oferekpe. ii.Ebonyi State to build a bridge of about 500meters across Ndibe beach. Whereas Cross River State shall build a 19km Road linking Ndibe beach to Ugep or a 17Km road linking Ndibe beach to Adim.

8. That Ebonyi State will cooperate with Cross River State in the operation of,and patronage of their deep seaport when completed .

9.That the projects in number 7 shall boost cross border cooperation and trade, leveraging on the Cross River State government projects of Super Highway and Deep Seaport and the Cross Border Bridge by Ebonyi State Government.

10. That all activities at Erei Palm Plantation cease forthwith, pending the resolution of the matter by both State Deputy Governors.

11. That both state governments shall carry out a disarmament of the combatants and that those who shall willingly hand over their dangerous weapons within a period of 90 days from today 7th of August 2018 shall be granted amnesty.

Signed and dated this day 7th of August 2018 by both Governors .

Mr Onyeabor N. Ngene is the special assistant to the governor on special duties.