Ebonyi and Cross River States have agreed to end hostilities arising from various border disputes between the two states.
They also agreed to embark on construction of bridges and roads to further cement the bond of brotherhood.
The border communities of the two states have regularly engaged each other in violent clashes which has led to loss of hundreds of lives and destruction of properties worth millions.
But the two states met on Tuesday in Port Harcourt to discuss ways of ending the crisis.
At the meeting Ebonyi state government agreed to construct a 600 metres bridge across Oferekpe River in Ikwo axis and 500 metres bridge at Ndibe
Beach in Afikpo.
Cross River state on it’s part said it will construct a 7.2km road to link up with the Federal high way from Ogada in Cross River State to Oferekpe in Ebonyi state as well as a 19km road linking Ndibe beach to Ugep or a 17km road linking Ndibe beach to Adim.
This was part of a ten point communiqué jointly issued by the two states at the end of the Bilateral meeting on the interstate boundary challenges.
The meeting which was convened and co-chaired by Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State and his Cross River state counterpart, Prof Ben Ayade also resolved to end hostilities in their boundary areas.
To achieve this, both Governors directed the representatives of the disputed communities in attendance to return to their various communities and sensitize them on the way forward with a view to proffering solutions to the challenges at the disputed sectors.
They also resolved that both states should submit a position paper on their boundary claims, annexing relevant legal documents, maps and communique of previous meetings within 30 days while arbitrators including National Boundary Commission, as third arbitrator would be appointed.
As part of the communiqué, both states would carry out disarmament of the combatants and thereafter grant amnesty to those who shall willingly handover the dangerous weapons in their possessions within a period of 90 days from 7th of August 2018.
The meeting was also attended by the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State Dr. Kelechi Igwe, traditional rulers and stakeholders from both sides.
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