Sambo meets with Kogi, Anambra governors over boundary dispute

Vice President Namadi Sambo on Friday met with the governors of Kogi and Anambra States to discuss the longstanding boundary dispute between the two states.
The meeting, which held behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, had in attendance Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State and the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Nkem Okeke, who represented Governor Willie Obiano.
Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting, Wada and Okeke said that they were satisfied with the way Sambo handled the matter and expressed optimism that the dispute would be resolved by the end of the year.
Wada said: “We are making a lot of progress.
“Under the direction of Mr. President, the boundary commission (National Boundary Commission) is tracing the boundary between the affected states in our area.
“And by the grace of God, by the end of this year, all these issues will be behind us.
“Security is a dynamic issue.
“Kogi is relatively peaceful by the grace of God and every effort is being made to maintain peace and tranquility in Kogi.”
On his part, Okeke said that a peaceful resolution of the dispute was top on the priority list of the Anambra State governor.
He said: “I’m here representing my principal, Chief Willie Obiano, who is unavoidably absent because of the burial of Dora Akunyili.
“I think this is one thing that is foremost on his mind to solve.
“Nobody wants senseless killings.
“Killings for no reason.
“So, he sent me here to make sure that we get things moving and I’m quite pleased with the way the Vice President handled the meeting.
“He gave directive to the National Boundary Commission to set a date to do all the necessary surveys and establish the boundary between us and Kogi State.
“And I believe in the near future things will be sorted out.”
Okeke also said that Anambra State was committed to the maintenance of peace and security with Kogi State and ensure the matter was trashed out.
He added: “His Excellency, you know security is foremost on his mind.
“My principal has been working hard on security.
“The bottom line is to make sure there is security presence in the area and make sure that people don’t encroach into other people’s land and make sure that people don’t come into your own land.
“And I believe his counterpart in Kogi is doing the same thing to try and maintain peace.
“We will continue to pray and hope that there won’t be any more violence in the area.”
The dispute, which started in August 2012, involves oil wells located in the boundary towns of Agulueri-Otu in Anambra State and Odeke in Kogi State.