By Odo Ogenyi,Uyo
The Center For Human Rights & Accountability Network (CHRAN), has commended Akwa Ibom government on recent moves to have its own gazetted map but called for proper funding for the office of the Surveyor General.
Presenting the position of CHRAN yesterday at a Stakeholders Meeting in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly on “A Bill for a Law to Provide for a Map for Akwa Ibom State and For Other Matters Connected Therewith,” the Director of CHRAN, Mr Franklyn Isong described the bill as a welcome development for the State.
Isong regretted that the state is yet to have its own gazetted map, since it’s creation 40 years ago which ought to show in no unmistakable terms, the boundaries of the state.
“This has resulted in avoidable fracas between the inhabitants of the different boundary communities within the state, as well as between the inhabitants of Akwa Ibom State and the neighbouring states.
“It is therefore in the light of the necessity to avoid these unnecessary and life-threatening skirmishes that the decision of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly to empower the State Surveyor-General to prepare and get gazetted the official map of the state is a welcome development.” The Director said.
He however asserted that the Bill has not breached any provision of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“We have examined the six (6) sections of the Bill with the Short Title: Akwa Ibom State Map Establishment Law, and the Center for Human Rights & Accountability Network (CHRAN) is in complete support that the Bill be passed into Law as same shows no conflicts with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”Isong said.
He however called on the State Surveyor-General, who the Bill seeks to empower for the tasks, to carry out the responsibility professionally taking into consideration the natural boundaries and cultural proclivities of the different communities within the state.
“However, there is need to ensure that the Surveyor-General is financially empowered to ensure that the tasks needed for the preparation and production of the said official map are carried out professionally while taking into consideration the natural boundaries and cultural proclivities of the different communities within the state.” He concluded.
