By Ladi Patrick FCT Minister of State, Olajumoke Akinjide has assured residents that move to re-establish FCT boundary in accordance with the constitution of the Nigeria is near conclusion.
This is even as the Director General of National Boundary Commission, Dr Mohammed Ahmad, disclosed that out of the four states that share boundary with FCT, only Niger state is yet to be captured in the boundary re-establishment exercise.
Akinjide noted that, “It is essential that we establish boundary to enable us plan effectively for development because without accurate data we cannot record success.
“We want to let the public know that we are working to re-establish the boundary differences among the neighbouring states in accordance with the constitution”
She added that, “very soon we would announce to the public that we have established the boundary in the FCT.
The minister expressed appreciation to the states, Kogi, Kaduna, Niger and Nassarawa for their cooperation while assuring that they would do everything to ensure that the commission succeeds.
In her words, “boundary issues are matters of public interest therefore, the need to re-establish the boundary with contagious states to guide against issues of counter claims, because these are highly sensitive issues that are of National interest”.
Earlier, The Director General of the National Boundary Commission, Dr Mohammed Ahma, who was on a courtesy visit to brief the minister on the progress made on the boundary issue between the FCT and the neighbouring states.
Dr. Ahmed said the commission has been able to do three out of the four states which include FCT and Kogi Nassarawa and Kaduna states respectively.
He however, noted that there are still grey areas in two states, adding that the commission was unable to commence work in Niger state because the state had asked for an extension of time.
The Director General also denied claims by the Royal father of Abaji Area council that FCT is losing some territory to Koji state, saying there was nothing like that.
“FCT boundary is the most detailed defined in the constitution. It will, therefore, executes its statutory functions with all seriousness, caution, and due consideration of issues and does not work in isolation.
“The National Boundary Commission remains, at all times, an unbiased umpire in any boundary matter and involves all stakeholders at every stage of boundary management or disputes resolution.”
It would be recalled that the FCT ministry had in July 2013 mandated the NBC to retract the FCT boundary to what is in accordance with the constitution of Nigeria.
The NBC was established in 1989 to address the myriads of internal and international boundary problems facing the country.
