IDRIS AHMED, LOKOJA.
Committed to finding lasting solution to the lingering boundary disputes, Kogi state Governor, Yahaya Bello, has inaugurated a 15-man Kogi State Boundary Committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, Edward Onoja to ensure lasting resolutions.
During the inauguration of the special committee on Friday at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, the governor noted that it is a responsibility of government to maintain peace and security in view of the notoriety of boundary conflicts.
He recalled that before the of his administration, there were boundary conflicts with some neighbouring states, within the states and even amongst communities and clans, stating that his administration had been able to maintain peaceful coexistence..
Governor Bello, with his administration’s initiative has maintained peace, through an interstate meeting between Kogi State and the FCT in July this year.
He said that, Kogi State Boundary Committee drew its legal backing from Section 24 (1) of the National Boundary Commission Act of 2006 that empowers state governments in that regard.
The Governor therefore revealed that a Director General would be appointed for the committee who would most preferably be a civil servant in a bid to ensure the smooth daily running of the committee.
In his response, the Deputy Governor and Chairman, of the Kogi State Boundary Committee, Chief Edward Onoja, thanked the Governor for his sterling leadership qualities which has enabled the state to weather trying times even as regards boundary conflicts and crises.
He assured that the committee members would utilize their wealth of experience to navigate all existing conflicts amongst boundary states asserting that their first task was the delineation between the state and the Federal Capital Territory, which would commence on Monday and span for 21 days.
