Politics
THE Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), says it has executed 2,151 capital projects in border communities since inception in 2010.
The Executive Secretary of the agency, Mr Junaid Abdullahi said this on Tuesday in Maiduguri at a workshop for the creation of a forum for local border authorities along Nigeria-Chad International boundary.
The workshop was organised by the National Boundary Commission.
He said the projects which cut across social and economic sectors were designed to positively impact on the lives and livelihoods of rural dwellers of border areas.
Abdullahi said that some of the projects were sited in Borno, and lauded governments of border states for their support and cooperation to the agency during projects implementation.
“Indeed, some border states have gone beyond collaboration during project implementation to provision of office accommodation and donation of land for the building of permanent offices which now serve as our zonal and area offices.
“This action has resulted in the agency establishing fully operational zonal offices in Maiduguri (North-East), Katsina (North-West) and Yenegoa (South-South),” he said.
In a remark, the Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Ms Wura-Ola Adepoju said that as the leading organisation in border management, the service was ready to partner with other stakeholders towards enhancing welfare and security in the border communities.
Represented by Mr Salihu Abdullahi, the Comptroller in charge of Borno, Adepoju said that part of the measures adopted to enhance security at the border include the establishment of forward operational bases and ongoing deployment of technology.
Also speaking, the Director-General of National Boundary Commission, Mr Adamu Adaji said the workshop was designed to improve cross border relations between the local border authorities and traditional authorities of Borno with their counterparts in Chad.
Adaji said: “This is a follow-up to the workshop that established a National Consultative Forum for constructive engagement, collaboration and effective coordination of border policies and programmes.
“The engagement will in no doubt provide avenues to promote security and economic prosperity of the border regions”.
Gov. Babagana Zulum, who is also the Chairman of the State Border Committee, stressed the need for effective border management for positive development.
Represented by his Deputy, Umar Kadafur, the governor said the Nigeria-Chad boundary was strategic, adding that the two countries need to work together to enhance capacities of their local border authorities.
“It is my belief that through open and constructive dialogue, we can identify common challenges, develop innovative solutions and implement them,” Zulum said.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of papers: “Nigeria-Chad Border and Local Governments with their composite neigbours” and “The imperatives of Cross Border Cooperation in Peaceful Co-existence, Security and Sub-Regional Integration”. (NAN)
T.S
-January 31, 2024 @ 6:08 GMT|
Tags: Junaid Abdullahi
