By Sule Aliyu Bauchi
National Boundary Commission (NBC) has called on state governments to support the Commission’s constitutional mandate to enable it ensure a peaceful and prosperous borders across the country.
This was disclosed by the Director General of the Commission, Surveyor Adamu Adaji in an opening address during a two-day Sensitization Workshop for Boundary Managers at the government house Bauchi Wednesday.
Surv. Adaji said that the program was aimed at sensitizing the participants on the challenges and prospects of boundary management in Nigeria, just as he urged state governments to support the work of the Commission towards establishing a peaceful and prosperous borders.
The DG stressed that the workshop aims to bring together, managers of boundary affairs and other relevant stakeholders to a dialogue and collaboration among neighboring states along internal boundaries of the country to fast-track peaceful resolution of boundary disputes.
He also disclosed that the program was meant to serve as an atmosphere to share experiences and best practices in boundary management as well as sensitize States and the affected communities on the importance of synergy in boundary management business.
The DG while appreciating Governor Bala Abdukadir Muhammad and the entire people of Bauchi state for the warm reception, pointed out that non-clarity of boundaries between the constituents states of the country has become a source of disputes.
He lamented that the differences in the claims and counterclaims that characterizes the perceptions of the boundary alignment has in some cases led to volatile agitations that often degenerate into crisis.
Surv. Adaji further observed that inadequacy of delimitation instruments, lack of proper sensitization by States, activities of elites/traditional institutions, wrong perception of boundaries formed part of the challenges of solving boundary disputes, enjoined Governors to establish state and local government boundary committees to aid speedy resolution of disputes.
According to him, other challenges relates to ownership/control of resources such as farm lands, water, game reserves, solid minerals and hydrocarbon resources along the border corridors, noted that such disputes has attendant consequences for socio-economic unrest.
Surv. Adaji who observed that the inability to complete demarcation of boundaries has bean a source of concern for the Federal Government and the states, called for a paradigm shifts in addressing the challenges, which he said, is imperative for Nigeria’s collective national security and
development.
The DG who also revealed that Bauchi which shares interstate boundaries with seven other sister states, noted that the state has in close collaboration with some of the neighboring States, took proactive steps in the past to amicably resolve differences of claims in sectors of their common boundaries.
He hinted that the National Boundary Commission is now advancing new mechanisms that would not only aid the resolution of boundary disputes in Nigeria but also transform border areas from zones of confrontation and barriers of separation to Zones of exchange and bridges of cooperatio
Speaking, Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad observed that the border conflicts among people is not unexpected so long human beings exist on mother earth.
According to him, “The conflict is always saying that there exist naturally a conflict between societies, between countries, between individuals, and indeed human beings is always in conflict even with their own selves”.
The committee chairman who is the state deputy governor of the state, borrowed from a former US President, Ronald Reagan who said that, “Peace is not absent of conflict, but the way and manner it is resolve amicably by us. So what defines us is to understand our differences, the nature of dispute and our ability to resolve these issues amicably”.
The Board chairman who is also the Deputy governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Auwal Muhammad Jatau reminded participants and stakeholders that, “We shouldn’t only be intelligence in revolving conflict, but we be people of wisdom that will be able to predict conflicts and prevent them from occurance
The deputy governor who represented his boss, Senator Bala Mohammed, noted that the sensitisation workshop is key to achieving the good result by equipping participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of boundary management.
Governor Bala observed that boundary disputes have historically been a source of tension and conflict, not just in Bauchi state but across the nation, stressing that disputes can disrupt communities, impede development, and create an atmosphere of mistrust.
“I commend the National Boundary Commission for harnessing our collective capacity to be deployed to mitigate conflicts before they escalate, thereby ensuring that our communities coexist harmoniously for their socioeconomic development”.
Governor Bala Muhammad reminded the boundary managers that their work is not merely administrative, but rather about fostering peace, promoting cooperation, and ensuring harmonious coexistence of our diverse communities.
“We must craft strategies that not only address existing disputes but also prevent future conflicts. Similarly, we should work collectively and diligently to ensure that our boundaries reflect not just lines on a map, but the unity and strength of our communities”.
He told participants, “It may interest you to know that since the coming of my administration in 2019, we have been rendering support to the State Boundary Commission with a view to ensuring that emerging border disputes are addressed amicably.
“In this regard, the National Boundary Commission in collaboration with the two states of Bauchi/Gombe has successfully demarcated Sector I boundary where 51 main boundary pillars were emplaced. Also, work has commenced in sector II (Darazo, Ganjuwa, Kirfi/Dukku) where 13 main pillars were emplaced”
Governor Bala concluded, “Similarly out of 1,634 kilometres of the boundaries with our neighbours, 1,159 kilometres were agreed and resolved, while 478 kilometres still remains was left as disputed areas, which by grace of God will also be resolved and demarcated soon”.
