Cross River Businessmen Challenge Akpabio's Landlocked Claim

The Cross River State Businessmen’s Forum has publicly rejected Senator Godswill Akpabio's assertion that Cross River State is landlocked, insisting it is a littoral state with access to the Atlantic Ocean. In a statement signed by President High Chief Dr Henry Onwe, the Forum described Akpabio's comments as "geographically inaccurate and economically dangerous," especially as the state seeks to assert its claim to offshore oil resources.

They emphasized the importance of allowing relevant federal agencies to assess the matter based on scientific and legal evidence. The Forum cited the presence of the Eastern Naval Command in Calabar and the Cross River estuary as indicators of the state's maritime significance.

They also referenced recent studies related to the Bakassi Deep Seaport project, which identified oil wellheads within Cross River's coastal boundaries. The Forum called for a fresh assessment of the state's littoral claim and criticized Akpabio for potentially prejudicing ongoing evaluations by federal institutions.