The National Association of Seadogs (NAS) aka Pyrates Confraternity wishes to express its strong displeasure over the federal government’s inability to appeal against the judgment of the International Court of Justice, (ICJ) on 10 October 2002, which ceded the oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula to the Republic of Cameroon.
Under the international charter, there is a window for appeal against any judgment by the affected country within ten years from the date the judgment is delivered if there are fresh facts which were not available as at the time judgment was entered into.
It is unacceptable that the government of Nigeria under President Olusegun Obasanjo had after the ICJ ruling willingly surrendered the sovereignty of the country to the Cameroon and had entered into a Green Tree Agreement in 12 June 2006, to abide by the decision of the country.
The Government of Nigeria cannot, and should not, remain inured to the pains of the Bakassi people. On the strength of the foregoing premise, the National Association of Seadogs urgently demands the following from the respective tiers of Government as appropriate:
The Attorney General of the Federation should lodge an appeal with the International Court of Justice at the Hague, Netherlands well within the statute of limitation of the exercise of this right and with the sole aim of restoring the Bakassi Peninsula to the Status Quo ante prior to the said judgement ceding jurisdiction to Cameroon.
Full provision of accommodation to the displaced people of Bakassi in the New Bakassi and adjoining areas and communities. Funds should immediately be released and duly monitored by all relevant stakeholders to ensure effective and efficient utilisation in meeting the earlier planned number of buildings for the returnees.
The Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs should as a matter of urgency hand-over the recently constructed 2-bedroom apartments at Ekpri Obutong to formally and duly documented returnees as part of efforts towards ameliorating their chaotic accommodation difficulties.
Immediate resolution of all issues pertaining to compensation for acquired land to the owners of the areas carved out of Akpabuyo Local Government Area for the Bakassi returnees in order to enhance the integration of the people into their new abode.
Immediate legislation and enactments by the National Assembly on the disputes regarding ward delineation between INEC, the Cross River State Government and the Cross River State House of Assembly.
The immediate completion of the Skills acquisition Centre at Ikot Nakanda in Akpabuyo Local Government Area being handled by the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in order to offer skills to the displaced youths in tandem with youths of the Niger Delta region.A robust engagement with the government of Cameroun on the reports of maltreatment of Nigerians still living and engaged in businesses in the peninsular in order to avert a breakdown of law and order.
Firm monitoring and implementation of the terms of the Green Tree Agreement by all international parties involved in the process.
A firm resolve that never in the history of this country will one inch of our territory be ceded for any reason whatsoever.
Take action today to Save Bakassi Now!
Sign our Petition Today…Visit: http://www.nas-int.org/
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