Dr. Richard Oji, Director of Internal Boundary at the National Boundary Commission, has called on border communities between Akwa Ibom and Abia States to coexist harmoniously to enhance national unity.
Oji made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Abuja.
He said that though the commission had earlier pleaded with the communities, it wouldn’t be too much to plead again that they sheathe the swords.
According to him, the situation has been bad for a long time.
“There have been killings and the killings are ongoing. This is not good for our growth and development. We want to sensitise them to imbibe good neigbourliness.
“Sometimes, you find out that such a situation is not only peculiar to those two states.
“We are urging them to see themselves as one, Nigerians and brothers and sisters, and to live in peace,” Oji said.
According to him, the commission uses concrete pillars to demarcate boundaries.
“Some of them are about two metres in height, while others are just above one metre with surface at the base to expose its visibility.
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“We also label the pillars, but some unpatriotic persons in the community destroy our pillars,” he said.
He, therefore, urged the state and local governments as well as stakeholders at the community level, especially the traditional rulers, to assist in enlightening their people on the implications of tampering with pillars demarcating states.
He reiterated that boundaries are for mere administrative convenience, stressing that being in another state does not prohibit an individual from owning a property in the other state. (NAN)
