The Senate yesterday, adopted a motion for improved funding for Border
Community Development Agency (BCDA).
In a sponsored motion by Senator Sadiq Suleiman Umar, he explained
that the agency which was established in 2003 with a clear mandate of
catering for communities in border areas around the country couldnโt
function optimally due to inadequate funding.
Senator Umar said, the counterpart funding as spelled in the act has
been stopped due to protest by state governors in the past, a
situation he said made it impossible for BCDA to embark on
infrastructural development within the border communities.
โYou are aware that deductions were made from accounts before the
commencement of the Commission without significant impact on the
member states, local government and border communities.
โConcerned that the border community is in dire need of development in
the area of infrastructure, health, education, water and access roads,
but the BCDA has not been able to cater for the needs of these
communities because of insufficient funding. โ
Senator Jibrin Isah representing Kogi East Senatorial District in his
contribution to the motion, said, States would be at the risk of
paucity of fund if deductions were restored.
Upholding the prayers, Senate President, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan urged
the 21 border states in the federation to dedicate 1.5 per cent of
consolidated revenue fund and ecological fund to the development of
border communities.
Senate President also tasked the Committee on States and Local
government to investigate and ascertain the level of compliance of the
Act establishing the agency.
