The Federal Government has reaffirmed its dedication and commitment to the welfare of border communities.
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made this declaration while receiving a delegation from the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), led by its Executive Secretary, Dr. Dakorinama George-Kelly, in Abuja on Tuesday.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo emphasized the crucial role of the BCDA in developing infrastructure and strengthening security along the borders.
He acknowledged the strategic importance of border communities as the first line of defense against external threats and stressed the need to earn their loyalty and trust, considering their cultural ties with neighboring countries.
The Minister commended the Agency’s efforts and pledged collaboration to achieve its objectives, which align with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Dr. George-Kelly briefed the Minister on the Agency’s action plan for short, medium, and long-term goals and highlighted the urgent need to provide basic amenities to border communities to prevent loyalty shifts.
He sought the Ministry’s support in this endeavor, emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships with government and donor agencies to deliver tangible solutions despite budget limitations.
“We are thinking outside the box to deliver tangible solutions; and strategic partnerships with government and donor agencies are integral to our approach. We seek collaboration with the Ministry of Interior to fulfill our shared commitment to the Renewed Hope agenda,” George-Kelly stated.
The BCDA, established to expedite development projects and address the needs of over 3000 border communities, operates across 21 states and 105 Local Government Areas.
