Insecurity and Lack of Basic Amenities Have Been Highlighted as Challenges Confronting Border Communities

The challenges facing border communities has been highlighted to include insecurity and lack of basic amenities which the government of Nigeria says it is working on improving. 

Nigeria's Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima stated this during a meeting with a delegation from the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja. 

He pledged that the Federal Government has taken action to secure and develop Nigeria's border communities to improve the lives of residents as well as the security situation in the country.

"Most of the challenges we face stem from our poor border security evident in the free flow of light weapons and ammunition across the border. We need to address the role of the BCDA in changing the security landscape of our country,” stated the Vice President.

He stressed the importance of border communities in national security as they are key element in generating actionable intelligence that can help security agencies and pledged continued support for their developmental needs.

Senator Shettima who said residents of border communities need to feel a sense of belonging as Nigerians also assured them of the government’s commitment to improving access to healthcare and other essential services for the residents of these communities.

He therefore called on the Border Communities Development Agency to develop a roadmap for strengthening the agency, while highlighting the need for increased government funding.

The Border Communities Development Agency's Executive Secretary, Junaid Abdullah who spoke on behalf of the delegation acknowledged the challenges of limited resources and expressed hope that under the current leadership, the agency would receive the necessary support to fulfill its mandate.

“Our border communities feel alienated from the rest of the country because of neglect. If we can get development into our border communities, the pressure on the centre will reduce. We would have reduced rural-urban migration and also addressed most of our security challenges"

“Under your chairmanship, we believe that following your antecedent as Governor of Borno State, we are sure you will give us the needed support to see that our agency is funded to carry out its mandate.”