Bakassi: Duke Says Hand-over Date Doubtful
From Amby Uneze in Calabar
The September 15, 2004 date fixed for the handing over of Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon by the Nigerian-Cameroon Mixed Commission may not be realistic afterall because the leadership of the two countries are still negotiating.
Cross River State governor, Mr. Donald Duke, who stated this in Calabar at a parley with newsmen said the ruling of the World Court at The Hague on the border dispute did not include submission that the inhabitants of Bakassi should vacate the place for Cameroon.
According to Duke "there is no decision of the World Court at The Hague that the indigenes should leave the land." He noted that the two countries are still negotiating on how best to achieve peace.
Duke maintained that he does not want to pre-empt the decision to be arrived at by the leadership of the two countries. He added that there is a good rapport between the two neighbouring countries.
He, however, appealed to the indigenes of the area to remain peaceful and assured them that their interest will always be protected.
"The leadership of both countries are still negotiating. I assure the indigenes of Bakassi that their interest is protected. No matter what decision is reached at the end of the day they will be protected," Duke asserted.
Commenting on the recent problems over rights of natives over Calabar, the state capital, the governor stated that the issue was not supposed to be in contention because all lands belong to government.
According to him, the constitution gave rights over lands to government. He added that historically old Calabar surrounds Henshaw and Duke towns which used to be under the control of the Obong of Calabar.
He added that the present Calabar is now a metropolis, comprising of Qua land, Efuts and Efiks. The governor also enjoined all residents of the state to embrace peace and co-operate with government to achieve development of the city.
"What we require is co-operation and peace. Once, we have that the ownership will not be necessary. What should be paramount is to have interest of the people to develop the area and not wrangling," he said.
The governor reiterated the earlier plea made by deputy, Elder Walter Eneji to the Obong of Calabar on the mistake of nomenclature in addressing him.
Duke said: "There was a mistake of nomenclature. He is the Obong of Calabar. He is not a paramount. He is the patriarch of the Efik tribe. I have appealed for peace and co-operation."
He maintained that he has had several meetings with the three traditional institutions of the feuding tribes and urged them to call their wards to order for the purpose of achieving peace and tranquillity in the city.
On efforts to ensure peace in the boundary area of Cross River and Akwa Ibom states, Duke said the two state governments have adopted a positive step to ensure lasting peace in the border town.
The solution, he said, was the approval by the Federal Government to set up a police station/barracks at the bridge head of Cross River at Itu.
He expressed the hope that the committee set up by the Federal Government to ensure peace between the people of Odukpani local government of Cross River and Itu in Akwa Ibom State would come up with lasting solution to the problem.
Duke said the state government would continue to support peace move since no meaningful progress could be made without security of lives and property.
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