The Deputy Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Aminu Abdullahi Alkali, has urged relevant bodies to provide essential facilities for border communities.
He made the appeal on Thursday during a workshop organized by the National Boundary Commission, which witnessed the participation of six deputy governors from states sharing borders with Cameroon.
The participating states, comprising Adamawa, Benue, Cross Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Borno, and Taraba, underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing challenges faced by communities along the Nigeria-Cameroon international border.
Alkali, who doubles as the chairman of the State Boundary Committee, also emphasised the need for a proactive measure that, if adopted, could shield these communities from unwanted encroachments and fortify their resilience against border-related challenges.
He asserted that urgent consideration of this suggestion would significantly bolster the capabilities of local border authorities.
In his dual role as chairman of the State Boundary Committee, the deputy governor stressed the collective responsibility required to achieve the goals and objectives set forth by the National Boundary Commission.
He expressed gratitude to the commission for its unwavering support and specifically commended its timely intervention in recent border crises affecting communities in Taraba and Gombe states.
According to him, the collaborative endeavour of the deputy governors and the National Boundary Commission is symbolic of the shared commitment to advancing robust border management strategies and fostering peaceful coexistence among regions sharing international boundaries.
He added that the workshop served as a pivotal platform for dialogue and cooperation in addressing the unique challenges faced by border communities.
Taraba Deputy Gov calls for provision of essential facilities for border communities