By Wisdom Nwedene
There has been a devastating insecurity ravaging Ebonyi State and it’s crucial to note that of a recent, over 15 persons were killed in Amagu village, Nkalaha of Ishielu Local Government Area, making people to live in fear of the unknown.
In Ebonyi State, there has been a crisis rocking different communities and neighbouring states . For instance, in Mfuma, there is a crisis between Mfuma of Izzi, Ebonyi State and Yala people of Cross Rivers State. It’s pertinent to note that the absence of Border Communities Development Agency in the Ebonyi State has caused more harm than good. This Agency ought to take care of any dispute between Ebonyi State and other neighbouring states but none is functional even when Ebonyi State Assembly recently passed into law Ebonyi Boundary Commission, nobody has been appointed to head the agency.
Some of the inter- states boundary disputes in Ebonyi include ;
Yala People Of Cross Rivers State > Izzi People of Ebonyi State
Abakaliki People > Obubra Of Cross Rivers State
Abi People Of Cross Rivers State > Ikwo People Of Ebonyi State
Iyako People Cross River And – Afikpo People Of Ebonyi State.
Currently Led by Dr. Dakorinama Alabo George, the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) is a development agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria with the mandate to ensure the sustainable social, economic and infrastructural development of border communities in Nigeria.
This Agency was established in 2003 by an Act of the National Assembly known as the Border Communities Development Agency Act, 2003 and amended in 2006.
However, on December 10 2009, the agency formally inaugurated the Governing Board(a lever for decision making), for the purpose of supervising its activities and to help in achieving the agency’s vision; to develop all border Communities.
*The Governing Board*
As the first and major lever of decision making of the Border Communities Development Agency, the Governing board comprised very eminent representatives from the six geo-political zones;
Ministers in charge of federal ministries. They are empowered to provide development interventions across the country.
Executive secretary that doubles as the Chief.
Executive Officer of the Agency and secretary to the Board.
The major and only responsibility of the Governing Board is to provide the general policy guidelines for the day-to-day administration of the Agency.
*Functions of The Border Communities Development Agency in Nigeria*
Specifically, the function of the Border Communities Development Agency is to address unique developmental needs of communities. These needs could be Socio-economic disparities, Economic collaboration between border communities, implementation of border infrastructures, collaboration with security agencies, etc.
States with the presence of this agency have higher chances of surviving or not even having an attack due to the security enhancement the agency introduces.
*Border Communities Development Agency in Ebonyi State*
Recently, the Border Commission Agency was passed Into Law by the Ebonyi State House of Assembly. While this introduction followed the constant disputes between communities and clans in the state, the present Governor of the state, Francis Nwifuru is yet to appoint an arrow head to oversee the office.
Fostering peace, security, submitting project proposals to the Government, and overall, ensuring good neighborhood-ness; the Border Commission is an essential part of Governance in a state and the country as a whole.
However, despite the disputes in the past and present in Ebonyi State, the state Government seems to be hesitant to fully implement the Border Commission Agency to take full course and this has bothered citizens of the state. Except Ebonyi /Cross River Peace Movement ably led by Prince Pascal Nwenyi, no other group has been able to keep moving around in ensuring that there is peace in the state.
It’s also pertinent to that this Ebonyi /Cross River Peace Movement is not a government soonsored group. The group is made up of people with goodwill and good spirited Ebonyians that want peace in the state and beyond.
*Need For The Border Communities Development Agency in Ebonyi State*
The need for the presence of the Border Communities Development Agency in Ebonyi state cannot be overemphasized, just like every other state in Nigeria, peace and security is of maximum importance to the citizens of Ebonyi State.
By introducing the Border Communities Development Agency, the state Government ensures a prosperous future for the citizens and a more peaceful place of inhabitation.
Employment opportunities, progress, and all round development of the state is largely dependent on this agency.
*Absence of the Border Communities Development Agency in Ebonyi State*
The absence of a Border Communities Development Agency in Ebonyi State has profoundly impacted the state’s development and stability. Prolonged communal conflicts, resulting in loss of lives, property, and displacement of people have risen in the state due to the lack of a dedicated agency to resolve border disputes.
Relying heavily on stable border relationships, trading has been disrupted causing economic stagnation.
Young people are denied the opportunity to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to drive development as the academic sector has been hard hit.
Furthermore, social unrest and tension has become normal among communities due to the absence of a Border Commission Agency and this had led to a breakdown in social cohesion and trust.
Generally, the absence of a Border Commission Agency in Ebonyi state has done more harm to the state and its people, than good.
Ebonyi Communal Crisis / Boundary Disputes
Within Ebonyi, the State has equally experienced a series of clashes over the years, which were primarily driven by communal and ethnic tensions. 98% of these clashes always resulted in loss of lives and material things in the affected communities.
Sharing boundaries with several states, including Cross River, Benue, Enugu, and Abia, Ebonyi has had disputes within communities and some states which also, always escalated and resulted in casualties
Some of clashes the state has faced overtime include;
Ezza-Ezillo clash
Cross-Border Conflicts with Cross River State(Izzi Vs Yala)
Ebonyi-Benue border clash
Ikwo-Ezza clash
Abaomege-Agbaja clash
Ezza-effium Crisis
Ukwuinyima vs Omege-Agalagu
It’s pertinent to note that in ordinarily, presence of such disputes in the state can be linked to the absence of such an administrative body like the Border Communities Development Agency to foster peace and enhance border security.
Thorough analysis of the clashes has revealed common root causes as;
Land disputes and territorial claims, Ethnic and communal tensions, Failure of government authorities to address underlying issues.
However, while the State Government had initially taken steps to address border conflicts by creating a Ministry of Internal Security, Border Peace, and Conflict Resolution in 2007, a dedicated agency such as the Border Communities Development Agency would provide a specific approach to resolving these issues.
Below is a more thorough and direct analysis of one of the most brutal and ongoing clash in Ebonyi state;
*Izzi and Cross River Crisis*
The Mfuma Vs Yala crisis is a boundary dispute between the people of South Ukelle, Yala Local Government Area of Cross River State and the Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State which has led to several other crises and has resulted in the loss of lives and property in both communities.
Originally, this crisis started off back in 2004(another in 2017), when a disagreement ensued between the people of Yala in Cross River and Izzi in Ebonyi State over a common boundary.
However, despite several attempts at resolution, including judicial proceedings and interventions by the National Boundary Commission, the conflict has remained unresolved and has been going on for decades now.
Sadly, since the start of this conflict until presently, the Mfuma areas of Izzi have been deserted.
However, after over 20 years of this crisis which saw the people of Izzi in Ebonyi State moving out from Mfuma, top stakeholders have kicked off movement to ensure that the people of Izzi return to their various homes in the affected boundary dispute areas.
While , the other party in this crisis; : Cross Rivers state, has the Border Commission implemented in their law and working ; Ebonyi state has had it introduced in law but not implemented.
However, the conflict would not have gotten to the point it currently is if the Border Communities Development Agency was working in Ebonyi state, things would probably have been a little different than they were/are.
Sadly, the psychological trauma these conflicts have caused, has had a lasting impact on individuals, particularly women and children, who
have been displaced, injured, or lost loved ones.
*Social Progress*
Significantly, the absence of a Border Communities Development Agency Agency in Ebonyi has stagnated the state’s economic growth and all round. The prolonged communal crisis for example, has led to loss of lives and properties in more than one Community and over 200 victims across the affected areas of the state.
Limited access to basic services; healthcare, education, sanitation, and others resulting from lack of infrastructure developments further exacerbates the issue.
Schools within the state are affected by disrupted academic activities, non-payment of teachers’ salaries, as well as school closures.
Bridges, roads, markets, etc are very important development plans which ordinarily would be taken care of by the Border Commission Agency which unfortunately, is absent in the state and this has resulted in a total lack and behindedness.
Furthermore, Constant disruption of commerce and trade in the state due to the unresolved communal crisis has led to poverty, stagnation and unemployment in Ebonyi state.
Generally, the absence of a Border Communities Development Agency in Ebonyi state has caused underdevelopment in the state’s border communities. This is simply because they are often neglected and marginalized perpetuating a cycle of Poverty and underdevelopment.
*Conclusion*
Created and overseen by the Federal Government, the Border Communities Development Agency is a body Currently Led by Dr. Dakorinama Alabo George, and responsible for overseeing the sustainable social, economic and infrastructural development of border communities in Nigeria.
However, despite its outlined importance in a state, the Ebonyi state Government has refused appointing a leader of the agency after it was recently introduced into the state’s law by the Assembly under the administration of Governor Francis Nwifuru.
The absence of this agency in Ebonyi has caused significant losses and limited the state in a lot of ways including social progress, development, economic growth, employment and overall, it has left the state in poverty.
It is, however, believed that prolonged crises in the state could be resolved, borders could be developed; their securities enhanced, too, with the presence of the Border Communities Development Agency in the state.
By establishing a Border Communities Development Agency, Ebonyi State can experience a more peaceful atmosphere and ensure a prosperous future for its citizens.
(Wisdom Nwedene, a seasoned journalist writes from Ebonyi State)
