The government announced its plan on Tuesday in a statement by Mr. Adamu Adaji, Director-General of the National Boundary Commission (NBC).

During a press conference in Abuja yesterday, Adaji stated that the intended demarcation is “only for administrative convenience,” noting that it is not designed to create obstacles or cause division of families and properties.

The FCT is bordered by Niger, Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Kogi, and their limits are uncertain.

Speaking on the government’s progress on the commencement of the demarcation, Adaji said the Internal Boundary Committee of the Commission, chaired by the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, had met with the concerned States and okayed the process to begin.

He said: “We met on Monday and the FCT Minister said he was in touch with the governors concerned and that they pledged their support for the exercise.

“We have some uncertainties about the correct alignment of the boundary because the gaps between the pillars in place to define the corner points boundary are far apart.

“In some cases, you find pillars that are as far as 80km apart. So we agreed that there is a need to put more pillars,” he said.

While assuring that the demarcation will commence within the shortest time, the NBC boss said the commission had already completed the tracing exercise in some of the states.

Adaji added: “Be rest assured that the Commission is making progress and with the commitment of the government of President Muhammadu Buhari, we will do much more.

“The Commission has fared better in terms of funding from the Federal Government and cooperation from the States.

“Very soon we will have those boundaries properly defined.

“Also, a boundary cannot serve its purpose until it is properly recognized on the ground, and for you to do that, you must have markers on the ground for people to know.

“Also note that boundaries are not barriers or made to cause division of families and properties, it is just for administrative convenience,” Adaji said.