BEVERLY HILLS, October 21, (THEWILL) – The Senate on Tuesday passed a bill aimed at bringing development to the nation’s border communities.
The Senate did this by strengthening the legal framework that would provide additional source of funding for the Border Communities Development Agency.
The bill titled an Act to amend the Border Communities Development Agency Act Cap, B10 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, was sponsored by Senator Olufemi Lanlehin.
Presenting the report of the Senate Joint Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, and that of Local Government Administration, the Chairman, Senator Umaru Dahiru, explained that the agency will now be able to discharge its statutory mandate effectively.
He stated that once the Border Agency Bill is signed into law, the inhabitants would enjoy provision of basic amenities, such as safe drinking water, electricity, medical care and other infrastructure that would improve their living standards.
According to him, the right to security of life and property of a citizen is universally recognised as an inalienable human right. This is clearly indicated by different instruments of the United Nations Organisation.
“The bill also seeks to strengthen our borders so as to reduce the porous nature of our territorial boundaries in order to check incessant incidences of security challenges as well as human trafficking in the border region.
“The situation is so bad now that when given opportunity to choose between their country and the neighbouring countries, it is our modest belief that the inhabitants would prefer to be citizens of those countries which have basic amenities required for a decent living,” he said.
He also added that security does not only refer to safety of lives and property but also applies to the ability of government to make available, basic necessities of life and job opportunities for its citizens.
According to the report, the agency in collaboration with the office of the Surveyor-General of the Federation, would identify settlements, villages and towns across 108 Local Government Areas in 21 states that are 15 kilometres from the nation’s borders, for effective policing and massive development.
The affected states in the border agency include Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Kwara, Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara.
The bill proposed the deduction of at least 20 percent from the Ecological Funds to tackle infrastructure decay, and provide health facilities, schools, and adequate security arrangements in all the affected communities.
Senate President, David Mark , in his contribution, noted that there were lots of problems and social vices confronting the country that could be attributed to the neglect of the border communities.
“I see no reason why our own case should be different. I know with the passage of the bill, the Federal Government will pay adequate attention to the porous nature of our borders which had forced inhabitants to access basic social amenities in neighbouring countries, “he said.
EMMA UCHE, ABUJA.
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