Calabar — Inaugurating the committee in Calabar on Thursday, the Deputy Governor, Barrister Effiok Cobham noted that Nigeria has barely four months to completely withdraw its authority from the remaining parts of the peninsula still in its control.

He said the 15-member committee has the responsibility of drawing up an integrated plan for the proper resettlement of displaced people of the state within the limited time left.

According to the terms of reference, the committee will "draw up and implement a safe and hitch-free plan for the evacuation of Cross Riverians and other Nigerians in both the Cameroon-occupied territories and those other territories that are to be handed over by August, 2008."

It said the plan should involve a preliminary census of persons and families to be evacuated, logistics required for the evacuation and a time-table for the phased evacuation.

The committee, according to the deputy governor, would also draw up and implement an integrated resettlement plan that will address the short, medium and long-term economic, social, political, cultural and security needs that may be required as a result of the relocation of the displaced people at the new site.

He said the committee would also prepare a comprehensive budget that would itemise the cost implication for the evacuation and resettlement processes with specific time frame for the implementation of each process.

The committee, Cobham said, should also recommend to government any other contingency or long-term plan that would ensure the smooth evacuation and resettlement of the people.

He said the committee is expected to submit an interim report to the state government by the end of April.

According to Cobham, "this is a very delicate and sensitive assignment that could make or mar the future of the thousands of the people that once lived comfortably in the land of their birth but are now faced with the psychological trauma of being resettled in a new environment."

The 15-menber committee has the State Commissioner for Justice and Attornet-General as Secretary and includes chairman of the State Border Development Commission, State Security Adviser, chairman of Bakassi Local Government, Paramount Ruler of Bakassi and the Deputy Speaker of the State House of assembly who also comes from the area.

Other members of the Committee are Hon. Patrick Antigha Ene, Chief Eyo Ita and the Commissioners for Lands and Housing, Works, Education, Social Welfare, and Health as well as the State Economic Adviser.