Nasarawa State Boundary Commission tackles land, boundary disputes
By Roseline Okafor, Nasarawa
Concerned about frequent land and boundary disputes, the Nasarawa State Boundary Commission took proactive measures by engaging stakeholders in local government areas and establishing a boundary committee, led by deputy chairmen, to resolve land and boundary conflict issues.
Abdullahi Adokwe Ladan, Commissioner for the State Boundary Commission, made this statement during a tour and inauguration of a boundary committee in five local government areas of Nasarawa West Senatorial District.
The commissioner led a management team to Toto, Nasarawa, Keffi, Karu and Kokona Local governments, conferring with local government chairmen and key stakeholders to underscore the significance of peaceful coexistence through internal settlement of land disputes, thereby circumventing the need for judicial intervention.
The Commission is tasked with determining, intervening, and resolving internal boundary disputes between Nasarawa state and its neighboring states, with a view to settling such disputes. The Commission solicits support from all stakeholders, especially council chairmen, to succeed.
Landan Adokwe emphasized that the committee’s inauguration was necessary due to the frequent land disputes, particularly affecting residents of communities along the border.
The committee is formed of deputy chairmen from each local government as its heads, with membership drawn from directors, traditional rulers, heads of security agencies, and other vital stakeholders, who are mandated to raise public awareness and resolve disputes over land and boundaries, thereby ensuring enduring peace and unity across the state.
According to the boundary commissioner, the Committee’s responsibilities include resolving inter-community boundary disputes, maintaining communication with the state Boundary Committee regarding all boundary problems within the LGA, and holding quarterly meetings to anticipate potential boundary disputes and notify the state Boundary Committee.
Other key functions of the committee include partnering with neighbouring LGAs to develop joint initiatives that foster peace and harmony among border populations, encouraging amicable settlements of boundary disputes as an alternative to litigation, and conducting awareness and enlightenment campaigns to promote peaceful relationships with neighbouring communities.
Adokwe appreciated Governor Abdullahi Sule for appointing him to head the commission and promised to execute the mandate diligently, pointing out that the commission has maintained a record of success since his assumption of duty two months ago.
In separate responses, the chairman of Toto local government area, Pharmacist Ahmed Baba Yahaya, and his counterpart of Keffi local government, Dr. Idris Ahmad Damagani, as well as the deputy Chairman of Nasarawa Local government Iduwa Sabo, among other traditional rulers, pledged their total support to enable the committee to succeed in its assigned task.
With the establishment of the boundary committee, it is anticipated that the issues of boundary and land disputes would be resolved amicably.
Global Times Nigeria News correspondent reports that the boundary commissioner and his team will conduct a tour of all 13 LGAs to set up the committee for the same function.
