By Henry Umoru
ABUJA—THE Senate has begun probe into the illegal annexation of Nigerian Mangrove Islands situated at Efiat in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State and maritime territories by the Republic of Cameroon.
It also asked President Bola Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, take steps to ensure the country’s territorial waters, particularly the over 2,560 oil wells in Akwa Ibom State, were safe.
Consequently, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has set up a nine-man ad-hoc committee to carry out a holistic investigation in the matter and report at plenary in two weeks.
The committee, which has Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo South), as chairman, also has Senators Adeniyi Adegbonire (APC, Ondo Central); Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West); Shehu Lawan Kaka (APC), Borno Central; Banigo Ipaligo (PDP, Rivers West) and Jarigbe Jarigbe (PDP, Cross River North), as members.
Others are Senators Ekong Sampson (PDP, Akwa Ibom South); Sani Bello (APC, Niger North); and Aniekan Bassey (PDP, Akwa Ibom South-East).
Resolutions of the Senate were sequel to a motion, titled “Illegal Annexation of Nigerian Mangrove Islands, Waters and its Crude Oil by the Republic of Cameroon,” sponsored by Senator Aniekan Bassey (PDP, Akwa Ibom North East) and co-sponsored by five other senators.
In his presentation, Bassey, who came under Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023 (as amended), said: “I rise with utmost sense of responsibility to move the attention of this Senate to the illegal annexations of Nigerian Mangroves Islands situated at Efiat in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State by the Republic of Cameroon.
‘’This is noting that the islands in focus were not part of the territories ceded to the government of Cameroun by the 1913 Anglo-German treaties and the International Court of Justice’s decision of October 2002.
“As such, the encroachment into these territories is not only illegal but has also led to huge economic loss of more than 2,560 oil wells and gas revenues which ought to accrue to Nigeria.”
Contributing to the motion, the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin (APC-Kano North), said there was an urgent need for action on the annexation by government of Cameroon, asking the relevant agencies, such as the National Boundary Commission, to swing into action and protect Nigerians and interest of the nation at large.
In his contribution, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo South), who described threats from Cameroon as challenging the sovereignty of Nigeria, said: “We need to report the matter to the United Nations. The Senate cannot keep quiet when there is a threat to the sovereignty of our country. There’s a violation to the right of our country.”
On his part, Senator Jarigbe Jarigbe (PDP, Cross River North) said his state was also affected, saying “we all remember the Bakassi judgment, the Cameroons are still molesting our people, defiling our women. We call on the government to address the issues.”
Also contributing to the debate, Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, APC, Cross River South, explained that it had caused untold hardship on the people of Bakassi, adding that till today, the resettlement of the people of Bakassi had not been carried out.
On his part, Senator Gbenga Daniel, APC, Ogun East, said the challenge as presented in the motion also existed in Ogun State.
He said: “In Ipokia Local Government Area, as we speak the Republic of Benin is claiming part of Tungeji Island.”
In his contribution, Senator Ned Nwoko, APC, Delta North, said: “The issue was that our government then under President Obasanjo hurriedly handed over our territory to the Cameroon for whatever reason. We need to look at how we can negotiate. We need to review the ICJ judgement as implemented.”
Also contributing, Senator Victor Umeh, LP-Anambra Central, advised that frantic efforts be made to enforce the International Court of Justice’s ruling on the mangrove islands, saying Nigeria could not be beneficiary of the judgment and not enforce .
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