06 November 2012, Sweetcrude, Lokoja – Govenor Idris Wada of Kogi state has announced that a reconciliatory meeting has been fixed for November 29 and
30, in Lokoja, the capital, between himself and his coumterparts, the governors of Anambra and Enugu states, over the oil well crisis.
The meeting is a follow up to the one summoned last week in Abuja, by President Goodluck Jonathan, in his efforto help resolve the lingering feud.
Governor Wada expressed hope that the meeting which would also involve the National Boundary Commission and the boundary commissions of the feuding states, would find a lasting solution to the feud.
He said, “The Federal Government has taken it as a serious matter. Mr. President convened a meeting of Kogi, Anambra and Enugu State and the matter is fully under control.
“A lot of work has been done by the National Boundary Commission and Mr. President
directed them to expedite the processes and a meeting has been scheduled to hold in Lokoja, Kogi State capital on the 29th of November and 30th of November, precisely to address it at the highest level of the National Boundary Commission and the boundary commissions of the three states to resolve the boundary issues and expedite action in concluding the matter.
“So areas of conflict have now been minimised. The three states are working in full conducive atmosphere and I am confident that the matter will be resolved.”
Wada also said Vice President Namadi Sambo briefed the National Economic Council that he had set machinery in motion to resolve any area of conflict between Cross River and Rivers States. He disagreed with the notion that the crisis among states
over oil wells had not yet reached the level of war or discord.
“It is normal to contest some of these issues in relationship between states. The Federal Government has the framework and the machinery through the National Boundary Commission to resolve such matters,” he said.
Since August this year when Orient Petroleum situated in Aguleri-Otu, Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra, ready for oil exploration and refining activities, Kogi and Enugu governments have been laying claims to ownership of the land where the oil wells are located.