By Charles Kumolu
EXECUTIVE Secretary of Border Communities Development Agency, BCDA, Engr. Numoipre Wills, has regretted the neglect of over 2,000 international border communities in Nigeria, saying that it has resulted to security challenge.

He also stressed that security consciousness and vigilance be made a serious priority among indigines of the communities, adding that they are first casualties in the event of  cross border violence.

Wills said this at a border communities sensitisation workshop convened by BCDA in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kebbi State.

According to him,”the Agency has just embarked on a familiarisation tour of some border communities in five (5) states of the Federation to have first hand information regarding the needs of the citizens of these communities. Everywhere we went, the story of suffering and serious neglect of these people was evident.

Past tiers of governments had obviously denied them various developmental programmes obtainable in the centre.”

He, however,  pointed out that before the agency can carry out its core mandate of providing basic social infrastructural amenities, it must be assured of the safety and security of both the indigines and the developmental projects being delivered to the people.

In addition he called on all stakeholders to assist in the provision of basic social infrastructural services for border communities.

Continuing, Wills said: “presently there is the perception amongst security operations that postings to remote and neglected areas is a form of punishment compounded with facts that living condition of such security operations are terrible with no electricity, potable water, befitting accommodation etc. This development has reduced security presence at border areas.”