Senate Urges Funding for Border Community Development

On Wednesday, the Senate, through its Committee on State and Local Government Affairs, criticized the inadequate infrastructure and basic social amenities in Nigeria's border communities. The committee's chairman, Bino Yaro, representing Adamawa South, emphasized that residents often migrate to neighboring countries due to the lack of access to education, water, and other essential services.

The committee discussed the 2025 budget estimates for the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) and the National Boundary Commission (NBC), advocating for a special provision of N50 billion to address these challenges. Yaro pointed out that the absence of social infrastructure has made life unbearable for the people in these areas, leading to allegations that residents are forced to seek basic amenities across borders.

Despite the provision in the budget, the non-release of funds has hindered the agency's ability to fulfill its mandate effectively.