Gumel Blames Insecurity On Poor Border Towns Dev

Senator Abdullahi Gumel has said that poor development and lack of social amenities at the border towns across the country are major reasons for continued conflicts and insecurity.
Gumel, Chairman Senate Committee on States and Local Governments made this assertion in an interview with newsmen at the end of the committee’s oversight visit to National Boundary Commission and Border Community Development Agency in Abuja.
The lawmaker attributed the challenge to poor funding of border agencies, leading to insecurity and growing conflict in over 90 communities across the country.
He said the poor funding of the agencies, which were critical to conflict resolution and provision of projects in border towns, was worrisome.
The lawmaker said that the committee discovered during its oversight that capital release for each of these agencies was only 10 per cent in seven months, adding that it was grossly inadequate.
He stressed that the agencies had not been able to carry out their mandates effectively, leading to sabotage and lack of allegiance from Nigerians, particularly for those in border towns.
“I know we have conflict in about 96 communities across the local governments as well as interstate conflicts.
“Ideally, the zonal offices of the National Boundary Commission ought to be up and doing in notifying the headquarters of looming conflict to ensure proactive measures that would prevent crisis.
“Unfortunately, that is not happening for lack of funds.
“We appreciate what the commission is doing with meagre resources, and we promise to get to the Executive arm to increase ensure increased funding,” he said.
Gumel said a lot needed to be done in securing the allegiance of border towns to prevent sabotage or security concerns.
He further noted that the Border Community Development Agency, in particular, was very important in providing basic amenities and should be adequately funded.