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From Isaac Anumihe, Abuja
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to resolve the decades-long boundary dispute between Ekiti and Kwara states.
In a statement, the Head of Information, Press and Public Relations of the National Boundary Commission (NBC), Chinwe Udouwem, said the commission is working towards the final resolution of the 70-kilometre interstate boundary in line with its constitutional mandate.
Speaking at a joint meeting of officials on the Ekiti-Kwara boundary in Ado-Ekiti, the Director-General of the NBC, Adamu Adaji, described the meeting as another milestone in efforts to resolve outstanding issues along the shared boundary.
He explained that the boundary originated from the former Ondo-Kwara boundary established under Legal Notice No. 126 of 1954.
According to him, the commission intervened because of recurring communal clashes that have resulted in deaths, destruction of property, displacement of residents and prolonged tension.
“Our objective goes beyond drawing boundary lines. It is about promoting national unity, enhancing security and creating an enabling environment for sustainable socio-economic development,” Adaji said.
He disclosed that although substantial progress had been made, disputes remain along the Eda-Oniyo-Obbo/Aiyegunle axis and the Erinmope-Imoji-Ilofa-Odo-Owa corridor.
Adaji recalled that since 2002, the commission has held several joint meetings, undertaken field tracing exercises and relied on historical records, authenticated maps and court judgments.
He said a technical meeting in Abuja in August 2024 resolved that digitised maps should be sent to both states for review before final demarcation.
However, he expressed concern that the commission was yet to receive harmonised reports from the two states.
“The commission has fulfilled its obligations by forwarding the digitised maps. We are awaiting harmonised positions from both states to enable us commence the final demarcation,” he said.
He urged the governments of Ekiti and Kwara to continue supporting their boundary committees with adequate logistics and appealed to affected communities to remain peaceful.
According to him, the successful completion of the exercise will eliminate recurring disputes, improve security, promote infrastructure development, stimulate economic activities and strengthen peaceful coexistence.
Representatives of both state governments commended the commission for sustaining dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards resolving the dispute.
