By Jelili Gbadamosi
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Cross River State chapter, has called for caution in public statements and legislative engagements concerning the state’s disputed oil wells.
The appeal was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the state chairman of IPAC, Effiom Edet Okon, amid renewed discussions over the ownership and status of oil wells linked to Cross River.
IPAC urged senators and members of the House of Representatives from the state to present a united position in protecting what it described as Cross River’s legitimate economic interests.
The council said decisions concerning the oil wells should be guided by constitutional provisions, equity and the welfare of residents, rather than statements or actions that could heighten tensions between neighbouring states and communities.
It also appealed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other public officials to exercise restraint when commenting on the matter, noting that statements from senior officials could influence public perception and inter-state relations.
According to IPAC, Cross River has maintained cordial relations with people from other parts of Nigeria, but such relationships should not undermine the state’s economic interests.
The council further called on the National Assembly members to demonstrate “unity of purpose” while engaging with relevant authorities on the matter.
IPAC said it remained committed to dialogue and peaceful advocacy in resolving issues surrounding the state’s territorial and economic interests.
The development follows renewed attention to Cross River’s longstanding oil-well dispute after the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) moved to reopen verification of disputed and newly drilled oil and gas wells.
