Efik professionals state position on littoral status of C'River State
Efik Professionals have formally expressed strong support for the ongoing scientific verification of oil wells attributed to Cross River State. According to a position document signed by Chief. Dr. Bassey
Efik Professionals have formally expressed strong support for the ongoing scientific verification of oil wells attributed to Cross River State.
According to a position document signed by Chief. Dr. Bassey Okon Bassey, PhD, Chairman of the group, the body noted that the Efik people—who are historically connected to the affected coastal and estuarine territories have endured prolonged economic consequences arising from administrative oil well attributions following the Bakassi developments.
The report stated that for more than a decade, Cross River State has faced severe fiscal constraints due to oil well allocations that were not anchored on comprehensive hydrographic and reservoir-based scientific verification.
These constraints, the document explained, have had measurable effects on infrastructure development, job creation, industrial expansion, and overall community progress.
Efik Professionals, in the signed position, commended Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State, for adopting an evidence-based approach to the matter.
Read Also: Senate rejects fresh amendment to 2026 Electoral Act, tells opposition to follow due process
The document highlighted the governor’s role in compiling and presenting detailed technical documentation covering 245 oil wells, alongside reservoir continuity data.
The report also acknowledged Bola Ahmed Tinubu for constituting an Inter-Agency Technical Committee to carry out an independent verification exercise, describing the move as a reinforcement of transparency, due process, and cooperative federalism.
It said: "Efik Professionals recognize the technical responsibilities being discharged by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, the National Boundary Commission, the Office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation, and the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission.
"The group noted that these institutions are central to ensuring oil well attributions are determined through accurate coordinate mapping and sound scientific validation.
"The report emphasized that the ongoing verification exercise is not intended to challenge judicial authority. Rather, it described the process as a constitutional and technical clarification consistent with Section 162(2) of the Constitution, which links derivation to the actual physical location of natural resources an assessment that, according to the document, must be established through objective scientific measurement.
"Efik Professionals concluded in the signed report that the verification process is lawful, evidence-driven, and critical to promoting fairness, strengthening institutional credibility, and preserving national unity. The group reaffirmed its commitment to science-based decision-making, constitutional justice, and equitable governance anchored on verifiable facts."
