FCT raises committee on border disputes

A 10-member FCT Boundary Committee has been set up to address boundary disputes in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The committee is to deal with inter and intra Area Council boundary disputes within the FCT and define and delimit inter area council boundaries in accordance with the delimitation instrument or document established for that purpose.

FCT minister, Musa Bello, who inaugurated the committee, urged its members to work harmoniously and in full cooperation and communication with the National Boundary Commission as well as similar bodies in the States that surround the FCT in executing its mandates.

The committee was equally mandated to identify and intervene in areas of potential disputes in the FCT.

Other areas to be covered by the committee include holding quarterly meetings to ensure maintenance of peace and order in border areas; liaise with state boundary committees of neighbouring states with a view to taking joint measures that promote good inter-community relationship; and arranging with other state boundary committees for joint utilisation of shared resources and facilities along the common borders.

The committee is also to encourage and promote joint inter-community development ventures among border dwellers.

The minister, however, warned that community or political leaders fueling crisis in their areas would definitely face the full wrath of the law.

“I want to state here very clearly that in all the communities, whether inside the FCT or at the bordering communities, any community that takes the law into its hands or tries to create misunderstanding that results into violence, the traditional rulers of that community and the relevant political and administrative officers of that community will be held fully and squarely responsible,” he warned.

In his response, the FCT Permanent Secretary, who is also chairman of the committee, Babatope Ajakaiye said that the committee would ensure that government’s task of maintaining peace and security was provided.

He pledged that the committee would do its tasks professionally and dispassionately.

“The committee will not take sides. The committee will ensure that everything is done particularly with the fear of God because it is God that gives absolute peace.”

Members of the committee include representative of the Attorney General of the Federation, FCT Directors of Urban and Regional Planning, Economic Planning Research andStatistics, FCT Police Commissioner, Director of FCT Command of DSS, FCT Comptroller of Immigration Services, Isa Dara, and Musa Yahaya as well as former chairmen of Bwari and Abaji Area Councils respectively, while the Director of FCT Survey and Mapping would serve as secretary.