Nigerians in Bakassi Peninsula get relief materials

Liyel Imoke
Cross River State Governor

Cross River State Governor, Liyel Imoke has commended the National Boundary Commission for its renewed vigour in attending to the needs of Nigerians living in the ceded Bakassi Peninsula. 

Imoke made the commendation in Calabar the state capital while acknowledging relief materials being transported to Nigerians in Bakassi. 

The State Governor, who was represented by his Adviser on Special Duties, Professor Zana Akpagu said that the gesture was highly commendable as it would concretize the resolve of the Nigerian Government to give the people a sense of belonging and confidence in the home government.  

The Governor used the occasion to enjoin the Nigerians to live in accordance with the laws of the land in line with the Greentree Agreement.

Care programme 

The Director-General, National Boundary Commission who was represented by the Desk Officer, Trans-border Cooperation, Farouk Tarfa said a number of measures had been lined up for the care of Nigerians living in Bakassi.  

The Director-General expressed happiness that so far Nigerians in the ceded territory were law abiding and were engaged in legitimate business.    

Also, the Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Alhaji Mohammed Sani Sidi said the Agency was ready at all times to collaborate with relevant authorities to bring succour to Nigerians living in the Peninsula.    

The relief materials included fishing nets, blankets and food stuff including bags of rice. 

The Greentree Agreement

In June 2006 at Greentree, New York, Nigeria and Cameroon signed a historic agreement under the auspices of the then UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, setting the modalities and time frame for the implementation of the 2002 ruling of the International Court of Justice transferring the Bakassi peninsula from Nigeria to Cameroon. 

The final transfer of authority in the Bakassi peninsula was done on August 14 2008 under President Paul Biya of Cameroon and late Nigerian President Umar Yar’Adua.

Ekata