From Juliana Taiwo- Obalonye, Abuja
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has frozen exploitation of hydrocarbon deposits in Bakassi peninsula till the joint technical committee on the Green Tree Agreement submits its report.
This is even as the Camerounian President, Paul Biya, denied that his country was ever a safe haven to terrorist sect, Boko Haram.
Both leaders spoke at a joint press conference to end Biya’s two-day working visit to Nigeria.
Buhari told Biya that there was no cause for Camerounians to lose sleep over the Peninsula as the committee’s outcome would put paid to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) resolutions.
A technical committee, comprising experts from both countries are currently working to fine-tune some grey areas, bodering on identity, resettlement, compensation for loss of territory, oil exploration, development of Day Spring Island, socio-cultural differences, fishing right, among other issues before full implementation of resolutions spelt out by the ICJ.
Buhari attributed the degradation of Boko Haram sect to the assistance rendered by Cameroun through the joint border operations.
He said he would remain grateful to the Lake Chad Basin Commission which aided the Federal Government to over-power the terrorists group.
Speaking on allegation that Cameroun was a safe haven for Boko Haram, Biya said it was nothing but media propaganda, adding that he would not have condescended to assist the terrorists, when it would not be of ideological or economic benefit to his country.
“Yes, I have heard of this information, I heard it in New York during conference that Cameroun serves as base for Boko Haram, but what can Cameroun benefit from that? Is it the ideologies? Are we going to benefit from finances? No, it was just a bad press and Cameroun remains focused and committed to the fight against Boko Haram,” he declared.
Both leaders flayed the activities of the sect while also applauding the military for degrading the Boko Haram sect.In a communique made available to the press, both countries also welcomed ongoing discussions on the fate of arrested Boko H aram members arrested in each of their countries and stressed the need for a judicial framework that will ensure their fair trial and if need be, transferred to their countries in accordance with international best practices.