Senate Cedes 20% Ecological Fund to Secure Nigeria’s Borders - Politics - Wabsodlink

Disturbed by the porous state of Nigeria’s borders, the Senate on Tuesday passed a bill seeking to cede 20 per cent of the ecological funds to Border Communities Development Agency to enhance protection of the borders as well as the wellbeing of residents. Tagged: “A Bill for Act to Amend the Border Communities Development Agency Act Cap, B10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria,” the bill was sponsored by Senator Olufemi Lanlehin (Oyo South). While presenting the bill for final passage yesterday, Senator Umaru Dahiru (Sokoto South), said 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 of the federation that are 15 kilometres from the nation’s borders for the purpose of effective policing and massive development. The affected states are 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 provides for the deduction of at least 20 per cent of the ecological funds to tackle infrastructure decay and as well provide health facilities, schools and adequate security arrangements in all the affected communities. According to Dahiru, the inhabitants of border communities will enjoy provision of basic amenities such as safe drinking water, electricity, medical care and other infrastructure that will improve their living standards. He said: “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. He said: “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 decent living. “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. 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.” After the passage, Senate President, David Mark, noted that other neighbouring countries attach more importance to their border towns and villages than Nigeria. “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. http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/senate-cedes-20-ecological-fund-to-secure-nigeria-s-borders/191910/