Patrick Abang, Calabar

The adhoc Committee of the Federal House of Representatives is set to summon the Solicitor General of the Federation, Mrs. Beatrice Jeddy Agba, over the ongoing boundary dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon, specifically concerning the missing pillar 113A.

The House Committee on International Boundary Disputes between Nigeria and Cameroon has made this move as part of its investigation into the matter.

During a one-day public hearing held at Trancorp Hotel, Calabar, Cross River State, committee members spoke unanimously about the search for pillar 113A, casting doubts on the original intention behind the quest, given that Cameroon does not appear to be directly involved.

The committee criticized the Nigerian authorities for hastening the implementation of the Green Tree Agreement, blaming them for the entire saga.

Kingsley Mbia, a former Chairman of Boki, detailed the community’s sufferings due to Cameroon’s activities in search of pillar 113A during his presentation.

Numerous other presentations were made during the hearing, including one from Cletus Obun, a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The motion is sponsored by Rt. Hon. Victor Abang, who represents the Boki/Ikom constituency in the House of Representatives.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Committee, Rt. Hon. Boni Lar, expressed his appreciation for the warm reception and emphasized the importance of the committee’s fact-finding mission.

“Our mission is to investigate both the remote and recent circumstances leading to the looming international boundary dispute between Nigeria and Cameroon. We are focused on unraveling the circumstances that led to the non-traceability and/or displacement of the vital international Pillar 113A in the demarcation of the boundaries between Nigeria and Cameroon along the Biajua and Danare axis of Boki LGA,” he explained.

He further stated that the committee had gathered preliminary intelligence from relevant government agencies and held an open interactive session with stakeholders to gather input. The committee’s visit to Calabar aimed to collect information from the affected communities, culminating in a communique that would inform their final report to the Federal Parliament.

“We are here to visit the areas of concern, hold an open public hearing, and collect memoranda from the affected communities. Our objective is to draw up a communique based on your input, which will guide our final report,” he concluded.