The office of the Secretary to the Government of the federation in collaboration with Borno State Government have Organised a 3-day local bilateral committee meeting for Border co-operation between Borno and Yobe states of Nigeria and Diffa province of Niger Republic.
The 3 days bilateral meeting under the Nigeria-Niger joint commission was flagged-off at the multipurpose hall of the Government house in Maiduguri.
Delegates and representative of various government and agencies were in attendance to discuss the possible cause of border conflicts and to maintain the peace and brotherly relationship that has existed between the 2 countries for decades.
The Secretary to the Government of the federation (SGF) Boss Gida Mustapha who was represented by the permanent Secretary political and economic affairs office of the SGF Mr. Andrew David Adejo said:
“The local bilateral committee meeting, as you are well aware was created by the signing of an agreement here in Maiduguri between Nigeria and Niger Republic on the 8th July 1990 under the Nigeria- Niger joint commission mutual understanding, peace and well-being of the people of the border area.0
“The committee was created was created with a view to identify and propose implementable and developmental projects for water basin in order to ensure equitable sharing of water resource among the people of both counties.
“The local bilateral committee on border cooperation comprised all seven front-line states in Nigeria and their corresponding regions in Niger Republic.“
“The LBC meeting is convened primarily to foster unity of purpose and close cooperation with our Nigerian counterparts. This is part of the effort of the federal government of Nigeria to maintain friendly relationship with international communities, on this note it my honour and privilege to welcome you all to the LBC third sector meeting and i wish to state that all decision taken during this meeting would be given appropriate consideration by the federal Government of Nigeria.
The Yobe state Deputy Governor represented by the commissioner of Information Mr. Mohammed Lamin said: “In spite of over one decade of boko haram insurgency that affected free movement of goods and services within Yobe state and beyond, successive and present administration of the state under the current democratic dispensation have recorded notable achievement capable of stimulating increased socio-economic activities between the neighbouring communities of the Federal republic of Nigeria and the Niger Republic.”
The Secretary General Nigerian-Niger Joint commission, His Excellency Ambassador Rabiu Akawu said: “I also commend the Government and the good people of Borno State for the warm welcome they accorded all the participants since their arrival.
“Let me briefly recall that the local bilateral committees were established principally to promote good neighbourliness, and to jointly address common problem facing the people along the borders of our two countries and thereby promote their general well-being.
“This meeting should also examine other issues of common interest notable, food, security, heath, transport and communication, trade and industry, education, sport and youth related activities.“
The Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum who was represented by his Deputy Usman Kadafur and Deputy Governor of Diffa province welcomed all the delegates and stakeholders to the meeting and prayed for a mutual deliberation that will yield more regional benefits and development projects.
