Commission overcomes boundary demarcation challenges between Nigeria, Cameroon
By Tada Judith, Maiduguri
The Nigeria-Cameroon Mixed Commission (NCMC) has overcome the challenges of demarcating the boundary between Cameroon and Nigeria.
According to the Commission, Atlantika Mountain was a milestone achievement, despite the difficulty in accessing the area for demarcations with conspicuous pillars.
The Commission’s Chairman, Mahamat Annadif, disclosed this at the weekend in Abuja, during the 34th meeting of the mixed Commission led by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
The event organised by the National Boundary Commission (NBC), was to successfully complete the Lot 6 demarcation project; before embarking on Lot 7 in January 2023.
According to Malami, the Commission has made rapid progress to achieve its mandate within a short period.
The demarcation of the boundary between Nigeria and Cameroon starts from the Bakassi Peninsular, in Cross River state to Lake Chad in Borno state.
“The recently concluded pillar construction exercise in Lot 6A, B and C in the Atlantika Mountain was a milestone achievement in the boundary demarcation exercise,” said Annadif.
On the demarcation challenges, the Attorney General, said: “Under your leadership, you were able to resolve the challenges in major disagreement areas,” noting that they were however been reduced from 13 to three.
Continued; “It is also to your credit that we have improved in the frequency of our meetings,” stating that this is the second meeting of the Commission in nine months.
He, therefore, thanked and expressed gratitude to the donor agencies and security personnel in the 2, 100-kilometre boundary demarcation exercise between the two countries.
“They have put in the best to complete the boundary demarcation exercise,” he said, assuring that Nigeria is committed to the quick and successful execution of the mandate of the mixed commission.
“We would not hesitate to make its financial commitments,” said Malami.
He assured us that funds will also be available to execute the Lot 7 project in January 2023.
He also applauded the efforts of the United Nations (UN) on the assignment but requested that a kind consideration should be made to donor partners in the ongoing demarcation exercise.
“There should be a speedy resolution of the remaining three disagreement areas,” he said, adding that he and his Cameroonian counterpart would put heads together to facilitate the resolution.
Annadif said that the 34th Session of NCMC was a testimony to both countries’ joint determination and commitment in the last 20 years to peaceful resolution of the border dispute between the two countries.
“This meeting is a reflection of the willingness of both heads of delegation and both countries to move towards the finalization of the demarcation process, ” he said.
He, therefore, commended officials, delegates, and experts from Cameroon, Nigeria and the UN for the work they have carried out in often remote and difficult areas to access.
He noted that Nigeria and Cameroon governments have secured the hard-to-reach areas for the demarcation teams to carry out the demarcation exercise with pillars.
The Leader of the Cameroon delegation, Zoah Michel, appreciated Malami and Annadif, adding that his country was ready and committed to the activities of the mixed commission.
While the Director-General of the NBC, Adamu Adaji expressed appreciation to the delegation from Cameroon and Nigeria, as well as the UN and other experts.
He thanked the governments of Cameroon and Nigeria for their commitments and efforts, including the UN’s effective coordination with donor partners.
“Some of us have paid the supreme price of losing their lives,” he lamented, praying that may their souls rest in peace.
