Ogun State Deputy Governor, Noimot Salako-Oyedele, has stressed the need for proper modalities for the demarcation of boundary lines to avoid conflicts among people.
She also urged the need to address other socio-economic issues, including trans-border trade, cross-border integration, as well as adequate security of Nigerians living at the border areas to improve their livelihoods.
Salako-Oyedele gave the advice during a one-day workshop organised by the National Boundary Commission (NBC) in conjunction with the Oyo State Government, themed, “Creation of Platform for Local Border Authorities Along Nigeria-Benin International Boundary” held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The deputy governor, who is the Chairman of the Ogun State Boundary Commission, charged stakeholders vested with border management to accord boundary issues priority attention in affected states and the country at large.
She said that though there were government policies that are of general benefit to the entire country, these policies might be punitive to people in the border communities, adding that a way to balance things out has to be identified and adopted for the general good.
The deputy governor, while appreciating men and officers of the Nigeria Customs Service and Nigerian Immigration Service for their efforts at safeguarding the nation’s borders, admonished them to put into consideration the homogeneous nature of the border communities in the discharge of their duties.
She said that the workshop would provide a platform for those present to cross-pollinate ideas in a bid to find a lasting solution to the problem plaguing the border communities within the Nigeria-Benin international boundary.
Also speaking, Oyo State Deputy Governor and Chairman, Oyo State Boundary Committee, Abdul-Raheem Lawal, stressed the need to strengthen security, enhance bilateral relationships, promote collaboration, and have a good business relationship between Nigeria and Benin Republic.
He noted that Nigeria must shift from demarcation between the Republic of Benin and Nigeria for obvious reasons and focus on how to integrate border communities by addressing their challenges, such as infrastructures and other basic amenities.
In their separate remarks, Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, represented by Olufemi Ajayi; Kwara State Deputy Governor, Kayode Alabi, represented by Abdullahi Bata; Niger State Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba, represented by Idris Aliyu and Kebbi State Deputy Governor, Umar Abubakar, represented by Sadiq Marafa, said that the workshop would enhance the relationship between affected countries, which will have an impact on the people living in border towns.
The workshop, they noted further, would enhance and foster greater impetus through investment and business relations, ensure smooth and successful operation of securities in border towns, foster bilateral relationships, among others.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, Director-General of the NBC, Adamu Adaji, said the workshop was designed to improve trans-border relations between local and international borders, promote development and economic relations, peaceful coexistence among people living in border communities, enhance effective integration border management and help to promote cross border cooperation.
