The Cross River State Businessmen's Forum has responded to Senate President Godswill Akpabio's recent assertion that Cross River State is landlocked. Chief Henry Onwe, President of the forum, stated that Akpabio's claim is geographically inaccurate. Onwe made these remarks in Calabar, emphasizing that no court has removed Cross River State from the Atlantic map. The forum's statement comes after Akpabio made the comments during the 39th Anniversary celebration of Akwa Ibom State.
Onwe argued that the 2012 Supreme Court judgement, which ceded 76 oil wells to Akwa Ibom State, only addressed derivation following the loss of Bakassi to Cameroon and did not redefine Nigeria's physical geography. The judgement did not alter Cross River State's littoral status. Onwe emphasized that the Cross River Estuary still discharges into the Bight of Bonny in the Atlantic Ocean, with islands projecting into international waters. This, he said, is a clear indication of the state's coastal status.
The Cross River State Businessmen's Forum highlighted several facts to support its position. The Eastern Naval Command is permanently sited in Calabar, which would not be possible in a landlocked territory. Additionally, relevant federal agencies re-accredited the state as littoral after geopolitical reviews. These actions, Onwe stated, acknowledge Cross River State's coastal status. The forum's position is that Akpabio's claim is not supported by factual evidence.
Onwe further stated that the ongoing GPS mapping by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has not indicated that Cross River State has lost its littoral status. The scientific work for the Bakassi Deep Seaport has also identified oil wellheads within the state's coastal boundaries. These findings, Onwe argued, confirm Cross River State's status as a littoral state.
The Cross River State Businessmen's Forum expressed its support for Governor Bassey Otu's efforts to reclaim the state's littoral status. The forum called on all stakeholders, including the media, to maintain neutrality and rely on physical geography and certified federal data. Onwe emphasized the importance of factual accuracy in discussions about the state's status. The forum's statement is a direct response to Akpabio's comments, which it considers unfounded.
Akpabio's initial comments were made during an event celebrating Akwa Ibom State's 39th Anniversary. He described Cross River State as a non-littoral state, sparking controversy. The Cross River State Businessmen's Forum's rebuttal aims to set the record straight. Onwe's statement reflects the forum's commitment to defending the state's interests. The issue has sparked a debate about the state's geographical status and its implications.
The dispute over Cross River State's littoral status has significant implications for the state's economy and resource allocation. The state's business community is keenly interested in the outcome, as it affects the state's revenue and development prospects. The Cross River State Businessmen's Forum's statement is a clear indication of its determination to protect the state's interests. The issue is expected to continue to unfold, with stakeholders closely watching developments.
Key points
- The Cross River State Businessmen's Forum disputes Senate President Godswill Akpabio's claim that Cross River State is landlocked.
- The 2012 Supreme Court judgement did not redefine Cross River State's geographical status.
- The state remains a littoral state, with the Cross River Estuary discharging into the Atlantic Ocean.
