… Receives memorandum from committee
The Cross River North and Central National Assembly Caucus have demanded for the creation of Ogoja state out of the present Cross River.
The NASS caucus which is led by Sen. Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe include Central Senatorial District Senator, Eteng Jonah Williams, Hon. Peter Akpanke and Hon. Godwin Offiono others who were on national assignments but endorsed
Speaking when the committee for the Creation of Ogoja State paid them a courtesy visit on Wednesday in Abuja, the NASS caucus described the province as one of the biggest open towns and oldest province in the South South geo-political zone that is yet to be made a state.
The lawmakers expressed their readiness to cooperate with members of the committee and constituents of the affected LGAs in ensuring that the long-standing agitation becomes a reality this time round, adding that they would leave no stone unturned to ensure the realisation of their life-long dream.
Speaking separately Senator Jarigbe said:”The committee has made our work easy. We commend their efforts and determination in producing this document. We in the Senate and Reps would do our best in this regard.”
Also speaking Sen. Eteng Williams, representing Central Senatorial District, said: “For us in NASS, there is nothing like APC and PDP. We are one and united in this matter of Ogoja state creation. It is a Cross River state project and we are determined.
“We have lost a state and we would get it back. We cannot afford to lose again and it is a task that must be done.”
On his part, Hon Peter Akpanke, representing Bekwarra/Obudu/Obanliku federal constituency, said: “I think God has destined this time for us to be in the NASS and for us to meet like this to fight for this project. I am sure we would overcome and I commend the committee.”
The convener of the group Chief Dr Dorn Cklaimz Enamhe took the members of the National Assembly caucus through the history of the creation of ogoja state from the time of the agitation of the COR State calabar -ogoja -Rivers state to present days and eulogized all those who both living and dead who had contributed to the agitation
He therefore appealed to them to be part of this history making event
Speaking on the committee on the committee on state creation. The chairman of the committee Senator Kanu Agabi, SAN, lsaid the committee has consulted widely thus resulting to a written document that was formally presented to the lawmakers for onward consideration.
Senator Kanu G Agabi SAN ,represented by Hon. Justice Maurice Eneji former chief judge of cross river state ,noted that the task before all Old Ogoja people was very tasking but enjoined all stakeholders from the two senatorial districts to come together and fight for the creation of Ogoja state.
According to him, the creation of Ogoja state would certainly address the lopsided socio-economic and political imbalance within the old province.
Other members of the committee that spoke included Dr Pius Tawo a member of the last constitutional conference who said the conference captured ogoja state amongst others to be created
On his part elder statesman and former FCT Commissioner of police Lawrence Alobi speaking to the synergy between the menbers and the state government led by the cross river governor Prince Senator Bassey Otu was highly commendable
Learned silk Jonny Agim spoke on the constitutional reforms that will make the request seamless
Amongst those present included the following
Hon.Cletus Obun, Rtd. Major Obi Odu, Dr. Pius Tawo, Mr. Timothy Udam, amongst others.
Recall that the 10th National Assembly has commenced the sixth round of review of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution and has called for Memoranda from the public, interest groups and critical stakeholders.
Areas billed for review include the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Security architecture, public revenue, fiscal federation, revenue allocation and judicial reforms.
Others are electoral reforms, traditional institutions, gender-related issues, state creation and state access to mining as well as any other matter that would promote good governance and welfare of Nigerians.
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