By: Adelowo Oladipo Minna
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago has officially inaugurated the Niger State-FCT Boundary Commission.
The ceremony was held at the Niger State Liaison Office in Abuja.
During the event, Governor Bago emphasized that the establishment of the commission was necessitated by ongoing communal clashes and boundary disputes with the Federal Capital Territory.
The governor also highlighted that the commission would enable the state to utilize existing tax laws to identify residents liable to pay taxes to Niger State.
He noted that the lack of clearly defined boundaries has resulted in the state being shortchanged financially.
Furthermore, he stated that the commission would aid in sanitation efforts by identifying and managing areas that belong to the state.
The governor welcomed the idea of joint inter-state boundary development programs.
Chairman of the Niger State-FCT Boundary Commission, Baba Sule Bisalla, explained that the commission’s mandate is to identify boundary issues and develop measures to resolve them.
He acknowledged the workload ahead but assured residents that the commission members are well-qualified and committed to achieving positive results.
The commission is headed by Director General Tanko Ibrahim Danjuma, with Barrister Muhammad Tanko Zakari serving as Secretary and Legal Adviser.
Members include the Commissioners for Lands, Justice, Investment, and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, along with the chairmen of Lapai, Tafa, Gurara, and Suleja local governments, the Surveyor General of Niger State, and other key officials.
The terms of reference for the commission include investigating, documenting, and resolving boundary disputes, promoting dialogue and reconciliation among affected communities, and recommending legal, administrative, and policy measures to prevent future conflicts.
The commission will also collaborate with relevant authorities, facilitate joint development projects, and produce bi-annual reports.
Within six months, it is tasked with developing a border dispute resolution framework and creating a verified map of contested areas.
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