Chiefs of Kalabari Kingdom of Rivers on Monday in Abuja protested what they said were plans to carve out some part of the state and join it with Bayelsa.
Mr Emmanuel Awoyesuku, the Chairman of Akulga Local government Area of Rivers, told a news conference that the people were protesting? “the injustice happening in Rivers’’.
“We are all here as Kalabari people, the chiefs, elders, youths and the entire good people of Kalabari Kingdom of Rivers to protest against injustice.
“We are appealing to everyone concerned to leave us alone as we are comfortable where we are,’’ Awoyesuku said.
He said that the National Boundary Commission should keep to the 10th Edition of the Administrative Map marked, “Annexure 11’’ for peace to reign between the two states.
“The boundary between Rivers and Bayelsa states had never been in dispute until the unfortunate subterranean manipulations by Bayelsa which started sometimes in 1999.
“This is to exert economic control over the oil and gas rich communities within Kalabari territory.
?“The 11th Edition of the Administrative Map of Nigeria unilaterally produced by the commission and Federal Surveyor- General Office in year 2000, inserted material distortions in favour of Bayelsa.
“This offending map shifted the boundary between Rivers and Bayelsa states from the initial boundary between Kalabari and Nembe being West of the Santa Barbara River.
“The Rivers government vehemently opposed this contraption via a letter dated June 20, 2002 to the chairman of the commission.
“The 11TH Edition of the Administrative Map of Nigeria which ordinarily should have redressed the acknowledged fundamental misrepresentations, the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission surreptitiously released all revenue.
“The revenue was accrued from Soku Fields and Wells, previously kept in an Escrow Account to Bayelsa without recourse to Rivers,’’ Awoyesuku said.
The chairman said that in spite of all their effort to seek justice in the matter; no progress was made by the commission till date.
He said that they had made great sacrifices in the past to enthrone the peace currently enjoyed by both states in the region.
He demanded that whatever administrative map that had been issued which did not reflect to the 10th Edition of the Administrative Map of Nigeria as it affects them should be withdrawn.
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