Ismail Adebayo, Birnin Kebbi
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on Tuesday said it was committing $1.5m to the pastoral cooperation between Kebbi State, regions of Alibori and Dosso in Benin and Niger republics to build economic capacity of herders, agriculture and social economic infrastructure in the cross border areas.
While addressing the participants at the validation meeting of the holistic program for the development of communities of the three border regions of -Kebbi -Alibori and Dosso at the Shagalinku Hotel in Birnin Kebbi, the representative of ECOWAS, Mr Alian SY Thaore said the funding of the cross border communities development was part of it's action plan to prevent conflicts in the pastoral border areas, encourage agriculture and tackle negative impact of counter terrorism in the communities.
He said "We are committing a lot of fundings across ECOWAS member states and as well invest on the establishment of social economic infrastructure for the benefits of women and people living in the cross border areas.
"The commitment for next year is $1.5m. For the cross border states of Kebbi, Alibori and Dosso we will be committing $350,000 for each of the border regions for specific infrastructure in their areas".
He said Kebbi State has shown commitment to the cross border communities development initiative. "But we don't have the signicant capacity to solve all the problems, we have to join forces in this areas".
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General National Boundary Commission of Nigeria, Adamu Adaji said the validation meeting on the holistic cross border cooperation was for integration, secure pastoralism and livestock management in the tree border states of Kebbi, Alibori and Dosso.
"The support for this programme couldn't have come at a better time owing to the security challenges arising from conflict between herders and farmers across west Africa and the Sahel regions", he said.
While addressing the meeting, Kebbi State Commissioner for Animal Health, Fisheries and Husbandry, Aminu Garba Dandiga said Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has demonstrated his committement to the cross border issues. "Last year we held similar meeting here and we are here again this year on how to achieve cooperation, peace, pastoral and livestock development in border areas", he said.
The Governor of Kebbi State and the two other Governors of the cross border regions of Alibo( Benin republic)and Dosso (Niger republic) are expected to signed an MoU on Thursday based on the outcome of the meeting between the representatives of the three countries.
