The Acting Director General of the National Boundary Commission (NBC), Surv. Adamu Adaji has called on donor agencies to partner with the projects of the Africa Union Border Program (AUBP) to foster trans-border integration and stability in the region.

Surv. Adaji made this call during his welcome address at a 3-day workshop on regional review and planning of the AUBP organized by the NBC in conjunction with Deutsche Gesellschaft for Internationale Zusemmenarbeit (GIZ) in Abuja.

In his address, the Acting Director General started that the AUBP was primarily developed to use borders as vectors to promote peace, security, and stability as well as facilitate every movement of people, goods and services and capital among African States. This objectives he said has been achieved to a greater extent only because of the support of GIZ.

He therefore lauded the continued commitment of the German Government in ensuring the formulation and implementation of the Africa Union Border Program noting that this has tremendously engendered peace and harmonic coexistence among some of the effected Border populations, stressing that most African States have been grappling with determination, demarcation and development of their international boundaries prior to the intervention by the German Government.

He further noted that with the support of GIZ, a total of twenty standard primary pillars and eighty-eight intermediates boundary pillars have been constructed on the Nigeria-Niger international boundary, as well as the construction of eight solar powdered boreholes in some Nigerian border communities adding that GIZ had also contributed the sum of 3 million Euros to the Trust Fund Account for the demarcation of the Nigeria-Cameroun international boundary domiciled with the United Nations in the New York.

Surv. Adaji used the occasion to further solicit for the continued support of the German Government for AUBP as well as assistance to the National Boundary Commission in such areas as the acquisition of the Geo Spatial data, Vehicular and Camping logistics, capacity development and archival searches amongst others.

In his remark, the ECOWAS Cluster coordinator of GIZ, Mr Ludwig Kirchner pledged the German Government’s support of 18 million Euros to enhance peace, security in the Africa Union Border Program.

The fund is expected to be utilized at the continental regional and member state levels through three years phase spanning from 2020-2022.

Mr. Ludwig stated that it has become imperative for the German Government to continue to offer its support to AUBP in order for it to achieve its set objectives in the prevention of border related conflicts, strengthening the stabilization of the region and foster regional cooperation and integration.

A Communique issued at the end of the 3-day workshop urged African Union member states to share actionable intelligence towards effective management of their common borders, it also enjoined them to consider the integration of regional and sub regional organizations that have relationship with the management of borders within the territories.

The meeting also emphasized the need for member states to embark on joint sensitization of the border communities inhabitants along shared boundaries with active collaboration with the media on the issues of the promotion of free movement of persons, goods and services as well as fighting harassment and bribery.

The meeting also recommended that member states should fast track the ratification of the Niamey Convention

More than ten African countries including Nigeria the host country, the Gambia and Togo attended the workshop.

Ovuakporie Efe
Head Press