By Ifeanyi Olannye
Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta has said that boundary disputes were also responsible for the rising spade of insecurity, deaths, violence and retarded progress in the country
The governor stated this, while addressing an audience at a one-day workshop for the creation of platform for Nigeria’s coastal states and local government areas held at Government House, Asaba.
The workshop has the theme, “Towards a Secure, Peaceful and Prosperous Borders”
He said so many lives had been lost to boundary disputes and called on the National Boundary Commission and other stakeholders to work assiduously in resolving such disputes in the country.
He said the theme was apt, adding that boundary dispute was an ancient and modern disease of humanity.
He said that right from the colonial days, Nigeria had been plagued by boundary disputes, which has had disastrous and destabilizing consequences on the people.
“There is scarcely any state in Nigeria that has not been involved in a boundary dispute with its neighbours, which often result in displacement, death, and destruction.
“Reports indicate that between January 2018 and August 2022; 676 people were killed in various communal and boundary clashes in Nigeria.
“The causes of these disputes are traceable to land ownership, community pride, ancient or colonial boundaries, and socio-cultural factors.
“In Delta state, it is safe to say that at least 80 per cent of boundary disputes revolve around land use, either for farming, mining, and other purposes of economic significance.
“The resultant clashes often leave in their trail, a chunk of Internally Displaced Persons with the implication this has for their safety and wellbeing.
“As we all know, the living conditions in IDP camps are unsanitary and inevitably constitute environmental hazards,” he said.
Oborevwori charged the National Boundary Commission, to work harder in resolving boundary disputes across the country.
“As the body responsible for resolving boundary disputes in Nigeria, the National Boundary Commission is critical to the peace, security, and prosperity of our communities.
“It is incumbent on it to embark on enlightenment and sensitization programmes to educate the people on the importance of respecting boundaries.
“It must also properly investigate cases of boundary disputes. In discharging this vital responsibility, officials of the Commission must demonstrate the highest levels of objectivity, neutrality, and integrity to instil confidence and elicit the goodwill of the people.
“Conversations break down fast once there is a perception of favouritism or nepotism on the part of those who are supposed to be impartial arbiters,” he said.
He added that, “It goes without saying that an effective conflict resolution mechanism is critical for maintaining national security.
“Hence, there is need for strong political will on the part of the government to implement recommendations that will resolve disputes amicably, and prevent future border disputes.
“With enhanced peace and security at the core of our MORE agenda, we are committed to partnering with the Commission to discharge its functions effectively for a secure, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria.”
In his welcome remarks, the State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, expressed delight that the African Union Border Governance Strategy would look into good border governance and the attainment of sustainable development.
Onyeme, who doubles as Chairman, State Boundary Commission, urged the African Union to sustain the tempo to ensure the harmonisation of all grey areas along the boundary communities.
He observed that the European colonisers arbitrarily, without due regards to the ethnic homogeneity of many African groups, forced Africans to belong to different nations, while diverse heterogeneous communities were hurriedly bundled into a single nation with distinct boundaries.
On their part, the deputy governors of Bayelsa and Rivers, Sen. Lawrence Egwhrudjakpor and Prof. Ngozi Odu respectively, called on relevant authorities to discuss boundary issues often in order to enthrone peace in the country.
Earlier, the Director-General, National Boundaries Commission, Mr Adamu Adaji, said the workshop was primarily designed to engage Nigeria’s coastal states, local government areas and the traditional rulers in effective border governance in Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that stakeholders, including some traditional rulers from the South West and South South states, attended the event.(NAN)