FG resumes delineation of Benue-Nasarawa boundary

The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to recommence the demarcation of the boundary between Benue and Nasarawa states after a temporary halt on April 6, 2022, due to security challenges in the region.

The National Boundary Commission (NBC) disclosed this during a meeting held on Wednesday to address the issues that impeded progress on the boundary delineation.

Adamu Adaji, the Director-General of the National Boundary Commission, stated that the Federal Government, along with the states, has intervened several times over the years in the interstate boundary matters.

Adaji revealed that the NBC’s first intervention in the boundary dispute was in 2016, and a joint meeting in December 2021 recommended field demarcation.

However, the process was temporarily halted after only a few pillars were emplaced, with reports of three of them being destroyed.

“Today’s (Wednesday) meeting is, therefore, to consider all issues that affected the progress on the boundary, and to come up with appropriate measures to fast-track the boundary definition and demarcation process,” he added.

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue, represented by the Commissioner for Lands, Survey, and Solid Minerals, Matins Shaagee, appealed for an amicable resolution of the boundary issues during the meeting.

He emphasized the importance of peace for development and urged collaboration with his Nasarawa counterpart to resolve the dispute.

Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, Deputy Governor of Nasarwa, who represented Governor Abdullahi Sule, urged the two states to work together in eradicating trans-border crime, rather than engaging in boundary conflicts.

Akabe emphasized the fraternal relationship between the two states and encouraged collaboration for mutual benefit.

He acknowledged that discussions on the emplacement of certain pillars, which were reached at the last joint meeting, were being revisited.