April 17, 2024

The Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have agreed to work together to accelerate the development of Nigerian border communities across 21 states.

The BCDA team led by its director-general, Dr. George, D.A. Kelly, reportedly engaged in an official meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tugga to finalise the agreement.

The meeting was said to have restored the hope of displaced border community residents as the matter topped discussion during the interface.

Kelly, who confirmed the meeting said its key objectives were to foster stakeholder engagement, trans-border relations and cooperation, implementation of recommendations, border security enhancement as well as need analysis and redevelopment.

He said: “The BCDA aims to foster collaboration with members of its governing board, of which the minister is a member. Enhancing relations and cooperation across borders is a priority.

“The agency seeks to implement recommendations from previous committees regarding the resettlement of displaced border community residents. These recommendations stem from the 2002 judgment of the International Court of Justice.

“Strategies will be devised to attract foreign partners and agencies for rapid infrastructure and human capacity development in border communities.

“Strengthening border security is crucial in curbing insurgency. The BCDA aims to collaborate strategically with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Inputs will be collated for the redevelopment of the BCDA’s strategic action plan.”

The Minister in his remarks was said to have expressed commitment to partnering with the agency to fulfill its mandate.

He nominated members of his management staff as focal officers for this collaboration.

The urgency of trans-border cooperation aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the principles of the 4 D’s Diplomacy: Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora.