BY R.N. GoDWINS

The book, titled, Resolving Boundary Disputes, written by ThankGod George Ekine and published by Pearl Publishers, Port Harcourt is timely since the timing and theme of this latest book is very auspicious, coming at a time when the city of Port Harcourt is on the global book stage as the World Book Capital. It is a 260 paged collection and display of facts on boundary disputes resolution.

The forward to the book was brilliantly written by our own dear Deputy Governor, and Chairman of the Rivers State Boundary Committee, His Excellency, Engr. (Sir) Tele Ikuru, FNSE.

Structured into nine Chapters with two tables of Cases, and of Statutes; a Bibliography, an Index, and an Annexure of the National Boundary Commission Act (2006) – the book deals with the distinct, critical issues associated with boundary disputes, and the techniques for resolving such disputes.

The book’s Table of cases parades a total of seventeen local and foreign judgments; as well as eighteen statutes, including the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and the United Nations Charter.

The first chapter of the book introduces the notion of boundary in real estate vis-à-vis the underlining concepts of interests, rights and benefits- all of which fall under the broad gamut of ownership.

In the second chapter of the book, which deals with Classification of Boundaries, the author defines boundaries, and their different classifications. Here, the author highlights the challenges of Border Demarcation, and the applicable principles for demarcation.

The third chapter of the book traces to 1914, Nigeria’s Boundary Problems, when the amalgamated nation inherited what the League of Nations left of the territory after the scramble for Africa in 1885 till 1914 upon the amalgamation of the Lagos colony with the Southern and Northern Protectorates.

The fourth Chapter of the book examines the vexed issue of Boundary Delimitation against the background of Internal boundaries, Boundary delimitations and demarcation etc and an over–view of the salient provisions of the National Boundary Commission (Establishment) Act (No.12 of 2006).

An appraisal of the international legal framework which defines and regulates maritime boundaries, and the acceptable methods for resolving disputes arising from such boundaries, under the broad subject of the Law of the Sea, as contained in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982- is the thrust of the fifth Chapter of the book.

Conflict Resolution Techniques are broadly examined under the Sixth Chapter of the book, while chapter seven discusses the specific Role of Traditional Institution in Governance, and Boundary Dispute Resolution.

The next chapter critically reviews the Lessons from the Bakassi Peninsular case. Tracing the origin of the Bakassi Peninsular to Nigeria, and the curious circumstances of the protracted diplomatic dispute between the two neighbouring countries, over the rich peninsular; and the unfavourable judgment of the International Court against Nigeria- the author exhaustively analyses the facts of the dispute, and the Court’s decision based thereon, and unambiguously faults the judgment.

The author in the last chapter postulates a working template for effective Boundary Conflict Resolution. Premised upon the disputed Soku oil wells between Bayelsa and Rivers State, he brilliantly analyses the interplay of critical factors, which may warrant the decision to intervene in a boundary conflict; and proposes a template which may be developed from certain parameters.

Thus, “Resolving Boundary Disputes is a must read for all as all humans are always confronted by the problem of boundary dislocation and ambiguities.