Skip to main content

Senate To Investigate Illegal Annexation Of Nigerian Mangroves By Cameroon




Senator Aniekan Bassey of the Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District has urged the Senate to investigate the alleged illegal annexation of Nigerian Mangrove Islands situated at Efiat in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State by the Republic of Cameroon. 


The Senator made this known at Tuesday plenary through a motion brought under Order 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 as amended.


Describing the encroachment as an act of economic sabotage and a violation of Nigeria’s territorial integrity, Senator Bassey highlighted the urgency of the matter, stressing that the annexed territory was never part of the lands ceded to Cameroon under the 1913 Anglo-German treaties or the International Court of Justice’s (ICJ) decision of October 2002. 


Senator Bassey, through the motion, outlined “the economic significance of the annexed Mangrove Island, which hosts extensive fishing routes and approximately 2,500 oil wells. The revenue from these resources, which should rightfully belong to Nigeria, is currently being lost to Cameroon due to the occupation.”


He raised concerns over the imposition of Cameroonian laws on Nigerians residing in the 16 ancestral villages within the disputed territory, maintaining that “Cameroonian Gendarmes have enforced foreign laws in these Nigerian communities, leading to distress and open protests by affected residents. One such protest was reported by Punch Newspaper on March 19, 2016.”


Senator Bassey recalled that “during a visit to Nigeria on May 5, 2016, Cameroonian President Paul Biya sought clarification from former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on Nigeria’s position regarding the Bakassi Peninsula and joint hydrocarbon ventures. In response, President Buhari reaffirmed Nigeria’s acceptance of the ICJ ruling but noted that the technical demarcation of international waters, including the disputed Mangrove Island, was yet to be fully determined. (Vanguard Newspaper, Leadership Newspaper, May 5, 2016.)”


Further referencing diplomatic agreements, the Senator pointed to Resolution 16 (1) of the First Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Governments of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) held in Cairo in 1964. 


According to Senator Bassey, “the resolution required African nations, including Cameroon, to respect post-independence territorial borders. Moreover, the Anglo-German Treaty of March 11, 1913, firmly places the Mangrove Island within Nigerian territory, as it lies west of the Rio Del Ray River, which serves as the official border between Nigeria and Cameroon. Despite these treaties and court rulings, Cameroon has reportedly continued its territorial expansion, violating international laws and causing economic and political setbacks for Nigeria.”


In light of the motion moved by Senator Bassey, the Senate resolved to established an Ad-Hoc Committee to investigate the illegal annexation of the Nigerian Mangroves Island at Efiat-Mbo by the Republic of Cameroon, examine the economic impact of the encroachment, particularly the loss of oil and gas revenues.


Senator Bassey further added that the Senate also resolved to access the human rights implications for Nigerians residing in the affected villages.


He assured Nigerians, particularly residents of Akwa Ibom State, that the Senate’s Ad-Hoc Committee will ensure concrete actions are taken to reclaim the annexed territory and safeguard the nation’s economic and territorial interests.


Media Unit

Office of the Senator

Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Breaking: A’Ibom Governor Removes Two Aides Amid Restructuring, Alleged PDP Links

  Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, has relieved two aides of their duties with immediate effect, the state government announced on Monday. The affected officials are: Joseph Jacob Ikpak, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Support Services Felix Ekuri, Special Assistant to the Governor on Neighbourhood Watch Their disengagement was contained in a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prince Enobong Uwah, who described the action as part of the governor’s ongoing efforts to realign the machinery of government with the Renewed Hope and ARISE Agenda. The statement did not provide further details on the circumstances leading to their removal. However, it was gathered from multiple political sources that the decision may be linked to the aides’ alleged association with the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The claim has not been officially confirmed, and the government has not commented on the speculation. Political analysts no...
Post a Comment
Read more

Tragedy at Ikot Ekpene General Hospital: Akwa Ibom Governor Orders Probe Into Maternal Death

By Asuquo Edem  UYO – A tragic incident at the General Hospital, Ikot Ekpene, has sparked public outrage after a young mother and her newborn reportedly died following a caesarean section, prompting Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State to order an immediate high-powered investigation. A disturbing video of the grieving family began circulating on social media over the weekend, drawing widespread condemnation and raising fresh concerns over maternal mortality in the state. Moved by the incident, Governor Eno expressed his condolences to the bereaved family and directed the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Ekem Emmanuel John, to convene a commission of inquiry comprising medical and legal experts. The panel is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the deaths and recommend preventive measures. In a dramatic move, Dr. John led a midnight team of officials from the Ministry of Health to the hospital for an on-the-spot preliminary investigation, gathering firsthand testimonies f...
1 comment
Read more

Financial Impropriety, Abuse Of Power: AKHA Receives Petition Against Ikono Chairman

  The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly today during Plenary received a petition against the Council Chairman of Ikono, Hon. Otobong Essien, where the Councillors have accused her of misconduct in the discharge of her official duties. This was contained in a petition presented before the Assembly by the  Chairman, House Committee on Judiciary, Justice, Human Rights, and Public Petitions, Hon. Aniefiok Attah. The petition, signed by Hon. Saviour Ebong, Leader of the 8th Ikono Legislative Council, Deputy Leader Hon. Idorenyin Akpan, and ten other councillors, accused the Council Chairman of unlawfully withdrawing public funds from the local government council's account without the necessary authorisation from the Legislative Council.  The councillors described her actions as dishonorable, illegal, and a blatant abuse of power. Additionally, the councillors alleged that the Chairman misappropriated council funds in violation of Section 66(1) of the Local Government Administr...
Post a Comment
Read more