By CHARLES KUMOLU
THE people of Shangev-ya district of Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State recently had cause to smile in appreciation as the  Border Communities Development Agency, BCDA, which is an agency set up by the Federal Government primarily to address the neglect of border communities, presented health and medical facilities to the Ada Community Clinic located in the area. This was done during the visit of the Senate Committee on States and Local Government Affairs.

The Committee which was led by Senator Kabiru Gaya, had an on-the-spot assessment of the condition of Nigerians living in border communities. The trip which was necessitated by BCDA Needs Assessment Report, was widely described as a welcome development for the people living in Kwande LGA border communities.

Prior to this presentation of beds, mattresses, pillows and mosquito nets, pregnant women usually gave birth on bamboo beds and mats in the clinic. While making the presentation, the Executive Secretary of BCDA, Numoipre Wills, assured the people that the Federal Government was poised to address their plight, but appealed to them to maintain facilities that have been provided.

He further  reiterated the resolve of the government  to overcome insecurity in all the border communities in Nigeria.

Making his own contribution, the Senate Committee chairman, who was visibly moved by the “pitiable” living condition of the people with almost no access road, promised to take their plight to the National Assembly for positive legislation.

Gaya, a  former governor of Kano State, also lamented the absence of federal roads to link many border communities in the country.

Gaya said the visit provided them with a “first-hand information” that would assist in carrying out their oversight functions on the activities of the agency. The Chairman appealed to the Federal Government to allocate more funds to the agency for capital projects. Responding, the villagers thanked the BCDA and promised to put the facilities to good use.

The Committee also visited Imande-Tura which could not be accessed by cars as the road was not motorable. Instead the visiting law makers and management staff of BCDA had to access the community by motorbikes popularly called Okada passing through several streams.