The Nigerian Senate is taking steps to recover around 2,560 oil wells and gas resources allegedly appropriated by Cameroon. Senator Aniekan Bassey raised the issue, citing significant economic losses and the illegal annexation of territories. A committee has been established to investigate the matter further and report back within six weeks.
The Nigerian Senate has commenced actions to reclaim approximately 2,560 oil wells and unquantified gas resources allegedly seized by Cameroon. These resources are reportedly located in mangrove islands across 16 communities within the Mbo local government area of Akwa Ibom State, situated at the Gulf of Guinea’s terminal end, extending towards the Atlantic Ocean coast.
Senator Aniekan Bassey, representing Akwa Ibom North East district, raised concerns during a plenary session, indicating that this encroachment has resulted in significant economic losses for Nigeria. He expressed dismay over the imposition of foreign laws by the Cameroonian Gendarmerie on Nigerian citizens residing in these ancestral territories.
In his motion, Senator Bassey emphasized that these territories have long been under illegal Cameroonian administrative control, and clarified that they were not included in the 2002 International Court of Justice judgment which led to Nigeria ceding the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon. He highlighted the economic importance of these islands due to their abundant fishing routes and oil resources.
Senator Bassey’s motion raised concerns regarding the discomfort and protests by local Nigerians against the presence of Cameroonian soldiers in their communities. He noted that these occupants infringe on territories defined within Nigeria’s constitution and not ceded in past treaties or the ICJ judgment.
The senator recalled past interactions between Cameroonian President Paul Biya and former Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari regarding the status of the Bakassi Peninsula, affirming that technical discussions on the maritime boundaries remain unresolved. Bassey called the annexation a breach of international law, compromising Nigeria’s territorial integrity and economic interests.
Furthermore, he referenced the 1964 Assembly of Heads of State of the Organization of African Unity resolution, which underscored the importance of respecting national borders following independence. He cited the 1913 Anglo German treaties, which demarcate the Mangrove Islands as Nigerian territory.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has decided that the Senate will engage with the Presidency to address this issue and reclaim the resources taken unlawfully by Cameroon. Consequently, a committee, led by Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, has been established to comprehensively investigate the matter and report back within six weeks.
In conclusion, the Nigerian Senate is vigorously pursuing the recovery of territorial resources lost to Cameroon. Senator Aniekan Bassey’s declarations highlight the economic and national implications of this issue. The bipartisan committee has been appointed to investigate the situation, demonstrating the Senate’s commitment to reclaiming Nigeria’s rights over its oil wells and gas resources.
Original Source: thewhistler.ng
