The Senate on Wednesday 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 couldn’t 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.
” You 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.
“Concerned 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. ”
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% 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.
