A coalition of 46 civil society organisations (CSOs) has called for a special presidential investigative panel to probe alleged loss of approximately 780 hectares of Nigerian maritime waters within the Cross River estuary.
The CSOs, under the aegis of Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness (CCLCA), made the call while presenting the recommendations of the coalition on Thursday in Abuja.
The Director-General of CCLCA, Gabriel Nwambu, said that organisation, in a strategic collaboration with 12 frontline rights organisations, had embarked on a fact-finding mission to the maritime boundaries of the Gulf of Guinea and the “mouth of water” delineations between Nigeria and Cameroon.
According to him, the coalition has uncovered critical data regarding the ownership status between Cross River and Akwa Ibom.
“In view of the foregoing findings, the civil society coalition respectfully recommends the following urgent actions.
“The immediate establishment of presidential review of the 2024 and 2025 Inter-Agency Committee Reports on oil well verification and derivation allocation affecting Cross River and Akwa Ibom.
“We recommend presidential directive for the proper demarcation of the Nigeria–Cameroon maritime boundary within the Cross River maritime corridor in accordance with the 2002 ICJ judgment map.
“Establishment of a Presidential Special Investigation Panel to examine the circumstances surrounding the loss of approximately 780 hectares of Nigerian maritime waters within the Cross River estuary.
“Immediate forensic audit of all revenues and derivation payments relating to the Ekanga and Zafiro transboundary oil fields,” he said.
Nwambu also called for an investigation into the alleged unilateral approval of ₦33 billion payment from the Federation Account without a presidential authorisation.
He stressed the need for diplomatic engagement with Cameroon for the negotiation of transboundary reservoir development agreements for the 49 identified reservoir continuity wells.
The CCLCA director-general also advocated for restoration and recognition of Cross River’s littoral status based on the geographic and legal status of the state.
