NDOMA EGBA, IMOKE, OUR 76 OIL WELLS AND IGNORANCE Ignorance being lack of knowledge or information could deprive one of his/her rights, privileges, make life a turbulent cause or even cost one’s life, knowledge on the other hand could enrich one and make one stand out among others; how do you feel in an exam hall when you’re writing very well, just then you turn your head around and across the desk is a friend chewing his/her biro? Knowledge is a priceless asset dear friend. I have seen and read posts and articles about Cross river state 76 oil wells ceded to Akwa ibom state, and in those articles and posts criticism and questions were raised on where were Sen Liyel Imoke and Sen Victor Ndoma Egba when the oil wells were ceded out. It was all but a political propaganda; most political stories we hear or discuss at palm wine joint or beer parlor are not checked in with reality. While some are formulated by the liquor state of the brain and mind, others are promulgated by hate for people and ignorance. HOW AND WHY THE 76 OIL WELLS WERE CEDED. Cross river state before western Bakassi was handed over to Cameroon in August 14, 2008 use to be littoral state (state that has lake, coast or shore), Cross river state has earlier dragged Akwa ibom state and the Federal Government to court demanding the agreement at the meeting chaired by former president , Olusegun Obasanjo in 2006 be release. Though the oil wells were located in Cross river state, Obasanjo through a letter had shared the oils wells between Cross river and Akwa ibom states giving the former 14 and the later 76 oil wells unitarily . Akwa ibom in response made a good case for the oil wells, through it counsel Akwa ibom state submitted that the main issue now is whether Cross river state is a littoral state or not. Since western Bakassi was ceded to Cameroon, Cross river state has lost its littoral status and therefore cannot benefit from the oil wells. Cross river state no longer has a maritime territory and would only access the oil wells through another country (Cameroon) since where use to be its maritime territory has already being ceded to Cameroon by the GREENTREE AGREEMENT. Akwa ibom state has a maritime territory and was closer to the oil wells. Sooner or later, Cameroon would be laying claims on the oil territory if it has not been ceded to Akwa ibom state since Cross river state no longer has a maritime territoy. The Supreme Court judgment was for Nigeria’s interest, the oil wells were ceded to Akwa ibom state to avoid another world court case with Cameroon in the future. Cross river state was shot twice by a single bullet from the GREENTREE AGREEMENT riffle (ceding of western Bakassi to Cameroon). In the articles and posts question asked was what did Imoke and Ndoma Egba do to stop the Supreme Court from ceding the oil wells? The case was no longer between the twin states, but a case of national interest. Akwa ibom state raised a strong and valid argument, even not minding what happened behind closed doors they were on the right cause to victory (national interest). Cross river state (Imoke, Ndoma Egba and others) fought tirelessly but it was like fighting an armed Boko haram with arrow and spear. OFANA AUGUSTINE EKPO Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 08:23:00 +0000
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