Niger State Governor, farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago has inaugurated the Niger State- FCT Boundary Commission.
The inauguration took place on Wednesday at the Niger State Liaison Office in Abuja, where the state Governor stated that the establishment of the commission became necessary due to the ongoing communal clashes related to boundary disputes with the FCT.
The farmer governor equally said, the Commission will enable the State make use of the current tax laws to identify Niger State residents who will be liable to pay tax to the State as the State government is being shortchanged due to the lack of defined boundaries between Niger state and the FCT.
Farmer Bago also explained that the creation of the Commission will help in terms of sanitation where identified areas that belongs to the State will be sanitized while also welcoming the idea of having a joint inter State boundary development programmes.
Chairman of the Niger State-FCT Boundary Commission, Baba Sule Bisalla disclosed that the terms of reference spelt out to the Commission is meant to identify areas that have issues regarding boundary demarcation and look at measures on how to squarely address them.
He admitted that the Commission has so much to do but reassured the residents of the state that the calibre of members in the Commission will be equal to the task given to them and work towards achieving positive results.
The Commission has Tanko Ibrahim Danjuma as its Director General while Barrister Muhammad Tanko Zakari will serve as the Secretary and Legal Adviser.
Commissioner for lands, Barrister Bello Agwara, Commissioner for Justice, Nasiru Mu’azu, Commissioner for Investment, Suleiman Takuma, and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mu’azu Hamidu Jantabo are to serve as members.
Other members are the Council Chairmen of Lapai, Tafa, Gurara and Suleja respectively, Surveyor General Niger State, Idris Aliyu Auna, Awwal Abubakar Dattijo, Barrister Mohammad Garba and Abdulakareem Salisu.
The terms of reference for the inaugurated commission includes, to investigate, document, and resolve all boundary disputes between Niger State and the FCT, promote dialogue, mediation, and reconciliation among affected communities.
The Commission is also mandated to recommend legal, administrative, and policy measures to prevent future disputes, collaborate with the National Boundary Commission and other relevant authorities as well as facilitate joint development initiatives in border areas to improve security, infrastructure and livelihoods.
The Commission is also expected to submit bi-annual reports to the farmer governor and, within six months, develop a border dispute resolution framework, produce a verified historical and geographical map of contested areas.
