By joshua 
Cross River: Gov Otu, Hon Ironbar, ex-Speaker Lebo hailed over oil well recovery efforts
The Governor of Cross River State, Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, his Chief of Staff, Hon Emmanuel Ironbar and erstwhile Speaker of Cross State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. John Gaul Lebo, have been applauded for their push and efforts towards the recovery of the 76 oil wells lost to Akwa-Ibom State.
The applause was given by a media expert and former lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Inyali Peter, PhD, in a post he made on his facebook page.
It came after the flag-off of the commencement of coordinate plotting by the Federal Government (FG) for disputed and newly drilled oil wells nationwide which is meant to end long-standing ownership conflicts and determine rightful beneficiaries of derivation revenue.
In the post, Dr. Inyali Peter, a Cross Riverian, said: “In the long-standing quest to right the historic injustice surrounding the ceded oil wells of Cross River State, Governor Bassey Otu stands out as a resolute leader. Since taking office, he has fearlessly reopened the conversation on the disputed 76 oil wells, many now identified through recent federal boundary verifications and maritime mapping as rightfully belonging within Cross River’s territory.
“His administration’s persistent advocacy, engagements at the highest levels and reliance on fresh evidence from coordinate plotting exercises, has reignited hope for economic restoration and justice for our dear state. His enthusiasm to reverse decades of marginalization and injustice would never be forgotten.
“Complementing the Governor’s efforts are the invaluable contributions of his Chief of Staff, Hon. Emmanuel Ironbar, and former Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. John Gaul Lebo. Hon. Ironbar has provided steadfast administrative and strategic support, mobilizing voices across board to drive the technical and diplomatic push forward.
“Meanwhile, Rt. Hon. John Gaul Lebo has been a vocal and knowledgeable advocate, drawing on his legal expertise and legislative experience to clarify the facts, particularly around maritime boundaries, the ICJ ruling’s limited scope, and the state’s entitlement to wells from its own estuaries. His public engagements and foundational work have educated citizens and strengthened the case nationally.
“Together with other stakeholders who have supported this cause through advocacy, research, and persistence, this triumvirate has shown how to be selfless fighting for Cross River’s rightful resources.
“Honestly, their collective resolve inspires confidence in the minds of many Cross Riverians that justice will prevail and greater Oppo for greater prosperity for our state will be unlocked. God bless them and all who continue this noble struggle, the streets and future generations will indeed remember their efforts with gratitude.”