Nigeria-Niger joint commission to promote cooperation, peace in border communities
By Tada JUTHA, Maiduguri
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha has said that the Nigeria/Niger Joint Commission for Cooperation (NNJCC) is to promote border communities’ mutual understating and peace.
According to him, the Local Bilateral Committee (LBC) was to identify and propose the implementation of development projects in the Lake Chad Basin.
Read Also: Reps Condemn Spillover Of Navy 2022 Budget
Mustapha represented by the Permanent Secretary (Political), Andrew Adejo disclosed this yesterday (Monday) while opening the LBC meeting in Maiduguri at the Government House.
“As you’re all aware; LBC was created in July, 1990 in Maiduguri between Nigeria and Niger by signing an agreement for a joint commission for cooperation,” he said, stating that the objective of cooperation was to promote mutual understanding, peace and well-being of people in the communities.
He said the resolution of the committee was ratified by the Council of Ministers at its 40th session on December 15, 2020 in Abuja.
“This is the Federal Government’s efforts to maintain friendly relationships with international communities,” he said.
He noted that the LBC is also to encourage a harmonious relationship in the border areas of two countries.
While lamenting insecurity in the border areas, he said that inactivity of LBC has contributed to the increasing rates of terrorism in the frontline states of two member-countries.
According to him, the situation has not afforded the stakeholders the opportunity to monitor activities in the border communities.
“It has resulted into the infiltration of small arms and light weapons into Niger and Nigeria,” attributing it to the porous border communities, stretching over 1,500 kilometres in Borno, Sokoto, Kebbi, Jigawa, Katsina, Yobe and Zamfara states and Diffa province in Niger.
“Porous borders are serious security threats to terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, illicit trade and robbery,” he said.
Secretary General of NNJCV, Abm. Rabiu Akawu said that Governor Babagana Zulum that led the LBC was to promote cooperation and relationship between the two countries.
“Today’s meeting is very important because of the 12-year security challenges being faced by the people,” he said.
He therefore called for a collective effort of bottom-top approach with a trans-boundary synergy and solutions.
According to him, participants should examine the security issue and come up with practical recommendations to the Commission.
He said this could unearth its remote and immediate causes; as well as resolve the problem in the border communities.
Read Also: 2 men arraigned for allegedly abducting, defiling physically challenged girl
The Deputy Governor of Niger, Yahaya Godi assured that the Nigerien government will continue to protect and provide shelter for displaced persons from border communities of Nigeria.
Responding, Zulu, represented by his deputy, Umar Kadafur said that the Commission will address border communities’ infrastructure deficits and enhance livelihoods of people.
“This is an opportunity for us to repatriate 3, 900 refugees in Diffa and Bosso to Borno state,” he said.
