From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
Kebbi State Government, Dossou Region in Niger Republic and Alibori department of Benin Republic have formally signed validation documents on borders cooperation to further strengthen their social – economy and security of the regions.
Kebbi State Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Governor of Dossou, Albachir Aboubacar and Prefect of Alibori, Bello Ahmed KY Samah signed the documents in Birnin Kebbi after four days deliberations among experts from the three states on the collaboration.
While reading out the drafted documents on the collaboration, Dr. Farouq Musa from the National Boundary Commission, stated that the regions have agreed to commit to political support, local authorities co-op station, especially on the mobility of livestock’s in the KADO border’s areas. “We are launching an appeal and technicalities with our partners and intergovernmental organisations to re-fertilize KADO policies.”
Governor Bagudu while addressing the experts and delegates of the three regions, traced the relationship among the regions to decades.
“The three communities have been linked together for decades, enjoin very good cordial relationship in agriculture, commerce, and inter- marriages. But there were no organised institutionalise frame work on the cross borders and security issues to further cement the aged relationship between the three border’s communities particularly, on agro- pastoralism area. Our traditional rulers they all have relationship across borders and that shows that we are the same people.”
Governor of Dossou, Albachir Aboubacar who spoke through an interpreter, commended the organiser, the ECOWAS, World Bank and other international donors for making the collaboration come to a reality, stressing that the development would galvanise development in the regions.
Prefect Samar also commended the ECOWAS experts from the three regions for working assiduously in making their dream a reality.
In his remark, Mr.Alain SY. Traore, Director of Agriculture and Rural development of ECOWAS who also moderated the signing of the validation documents, commended the three regions for their initiatives.