Vice President Kashim Shettima has underscored the need to address the role of border communities in changing the security landscape of the country.
Mr Shettima spoke on Friday during a meeting with a delegation from the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
A statement on the meeting was made available to journalists by Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications, Office of the Vice-President.
According to the statement, the vice president acknowledged that most of the security challenges facing the country stem from poor border security, evident in the free flow of light weapons and ammunition across the borders.
He stressed the importance of border communities in national security and pledged continued support for their development needs.
Mr Shettima acknowledged the need for residents of the border communities to feel a sense of belonging as Nigerians.
According to him, the challenges faced by the communities included insecurity and a lack of basic amenities.
He, therefore, was assured of the government’s commitment to improving access to healthcare and other essential services for the residents of these communities.
The vice president also assured of the government’s commitment to secure and develop the border communities to improve the lives of residents and their security.
Mr Shettima, therefore, urged the BCDA to develop a roadmap for strengthening the agency, highlighting the need for increased government funding.
Earlier, the agency’s executive secretary, Junaid Abdullahi, decried the limited resources available to them and expressed hope that under Mr Shettima’s leadership, the agency would receive the necessary support to fulfil its mandate.
”Under your chairmanship, we believe that following your antecedent as governor of Borno State, we are sure you will give us the needed support to see that our agency is funded to carry out its mandate,” he said.
NAN
