Germany provides N7.2b for development of border communities – TheNigerialawyer

The Federal Republic of Germany has budgeted N7.2 billion (€18
million) for the development of border communities across the
country.

The fund which would be disbursed by Germany’s international aid
agency, German Cooperation is part of Bonn’s support for the fourth
phase of the African Union Border Programme phase 2020-2022.

Announcing this in Abuja on Tuesday during the workshop on the
regional review and planning of the AUBP in West Africa, the GIZ
ECOWAS Cluster Coordinator, Mr Ludwig Kirchner explained that
border communities were often neglected by the authorities due to
their remote location, noting that the fund was meant to enhance
social-economic development of the settlements.

According to him, since the establishment of the AUBP, Germany
had supported its implementation in over 20 countries with 10
ECOWAS member states benefiting from GIZ direct support.

Kirchner further explained that numerous border management
activities had been conducted with tangible results and impact in
the areas of regional and national policy development,
delimitation, demarcation, reaffirmation, cross-border cooperation
activities as well as capacity and organizational development.

These activities, he noted, were aimed at preventing
border-related conflicts, strengthening the stabilisation of the
region and fostering regional cooperation and integration.

He said, “It is in this regard that the German Cooperation would
like to extend its support to the AU Border Programme at the
continental, regional and member state level through another three
years phase 2020-2022 by providing additional €18m.”

The acting Director-General, National Boundary Commission, Adamu
Adaji appreciated the German Cooperation for its support to the
AUBP, noting that this had contributed to better border management
at the nation’s international boundaries.

He said, “With the support of the German Government, a total of
20 standard primary pillars and 88 intermediate boundary pillars
have been constructed on the boundary.”

Adaji added that eight solar-powered boreholes had also been
constructed for some Nigerian border communities, noting that the
GIZ had also contributed €3m to the trust fund account for the
demarcation of Nigeria-Cameroon international boundary domiciled in
the United Nations in New York.

“It would be appreciated if GIZ-AUBP gives further support to
the National Boundary Commission in such areas as the acquisition
of geo-spatial data, vehicular and camping logistics, capacity
development and archival searches,” he solicited.