ABUJA- Vice President Namadi Sambo has met with the governors of Kogi and Anambra to discuss the longstanding boundary dispute between the two states.
The meeting, which held behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, had in attendance, Governor Idris Wada of Kogi and the Deputy Governor of Anambra, Mr Nkem Okeke, who represented Governor Willie Obiano.
Speaking with State House correspondents after the meeting, Wada and Okeke said that they were satisfied with the way the vice president handled the matter and expressed optimism that the dispute would be resolved by the end of the year.
“We are making a lot of progress. Under the direction of Mr President, the boundary commission (National Boundary Commission) is tracing the boundary between the affected states in our area.
“And by the grace of God, by the end of this year all these issues will be behind us.
“Security is a dynamic issue. Kogi is relatively peaceful by the grace of God and every effort is being made to maintain peace and tranquility in Kogi,“ he said.
On his part, Okeke said that a peaceful resolution of the dispute was top on the priority list of the Anambra governor.
“I’m here representing my principal, Chief Willie Obiano, who is unavoidably absent because of the burial of Dora Akunyili. I think this is one thing that is foremost on his mind to solve.
“Nobody wants senseless killings; killings for no reason. So, he sent me here to make sure that we get things moving, and I’m quite pleased with the way the Vice President handled the meeting.
“He gave directive to the National Boundary Commission to set a date to do all the necessary surveys and establish the boundary between us and Kogi state, and I believe in the near future things will be sorted out,“ he stated.
Okeke also said that Anambra was committed to the maintenance of peace and security with Kogi and ensure the matter was trashed out.
“His Excellency, you know security is foremost on his mind; my principal has been working hard on security.