Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) has brought succour to residents of Asaa community in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State by providing them with portable water. The Executive Secretary of BCDA, Dr. George D.A. Kelly had directed and initiated the drilling of borehole with overhead tanks in this community that has suffered years of neglect.

Asaa community like most border communities in Nigeria is situated on the fringes of the country with inaccessible road, especially during raining season. It lacks basic social amenities. For years, Residents only source of water is a contaminated stream. The other alternative is to travel five (5) kilometers to neighbouring Benin Republic to fetch portable water. But due to the attendant security situation on this route and the distance, the people prefer to fetch water from ditches and streams which has affected their health situation as many suffer from waterborne diseases.

However, the story has changed since the intervention of Dr. Kelly who delegated staff of the Agency to conduct a proper NEEDS Assessment and subsequent drilling of borehole with overhead tanks in the community.

BCDA’s mandate is to provide socio-economic infrastructure in border communities of Nigeria. In the above pictures and videos, residents are seen celebrating the provision of water to their community. This is understandable as they can now access clean water and avoid the tortuous journey to their neighbouring country to fetch clean water.

For the Agency, it is a promise made and a promise kept.

The unveiling of the BCDA SERVICOM Service Charter by Dr. George D.A. Kelly (FNIQS) signals a critical advancement in enhancing service delivery and accountability within the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA).

This significant event, took place at the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja and was chaired by Dr. George D.A. Kelly (FNIQS), the Executive Secretary of BCDA. In attendance were, Mrs. Nneka Akajemeli, the National Coordinator/CEO of SERVICOM, alongside her delegation, as well as members of BCDA Top Management and Staff.

In his opening remarks, Dr. Kelly emphasized the purpose of the event, which was to formally introduce the BCDA Service Charter. He urged the Agency’s Management and Staff to attentively absorb the insights shared by the National Coordinator/CEO of SERVICOM for improved service delivery.

During her lecture on the significance of the Servicom Charter, Mrs. Nneka Akajemeli congratulated Dr. Kelly on his well-deserved appointment as the Executive Secretary of BCDA and expressed gratitude for his unwavering support towards the Servicom Unit of the Agency. She also highlighted the positive transformations happening within BCDA under Dr. Kelly’s leadership.

Mrs. Akajemeli emphasized the Service Charter’s role as a guiding document for both the Agency and the Public, outlining standards, expectations, and procedures for services offered by BCDA within the established mandate of the Agency. She emphasized the Agency’s commitment to executing socio-economic developmental projects in border communities to ensure customer satisfaction and overall benefit to the people living in the border communities and stakeholders.

In recognition of his dedication to championing service delivery within BCDA, Dr. George D.A. Kelly (FNIQS) was honoured with the prestigious SERVICOM CHAMPION award.

The meeting between Dr. George D.A. Kelly (FNIQS) the Executive Secretary of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), and Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) Kemi Nanna Nandap (PCC, MMIS, FSM) which took place at the Nigeria Immigration Technology Building Headquarters in Abuja was highly productive. They discussed enhancing collaboration to improve living standards and security in the border communities in Nigeria.

Dr. Kelly emphasized the importance of working together with the Nigeria Immigration Service. He recognized them as a crucial partner in BCDA’s mission to provide socio-economic welfare and infrastructure to border communities. Dr. Kelly also highlighted the need to address security challenges, such as criminal activities in ungoverned spaces, through joint efforts.

He outlined BCDA’s Strategic Action Plan (SAP) and Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), showing a commitment to laying a solid foundation for the Agency’s operations and revisiting relevant legislation. Dr. Kelly shared examples of ongoing projects, like the borehole initiative in the Asaa Border Communities of Ogun state, to demonstrate BCDA’s proactive approach to addressing community needs.

In response, Comptroller General Nandap expressed appreciation for the briefing. She acknowledged the importance of engaging border communities for effective border governance. Nandap pledged support for BCDA’s initiatives and emphasized the need for continued collaboration to avoid duplication of efforts and maximize impact.

Overall, the meeting showed both organizations’ commitment to working together towards the common goal of improving the welfare and security of Nigeria’s border communities.

The Executive Secretary of Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), Dr. George D. A. Kelly, FNIQS has pledged to accelerate developmental projects in border communities in Nigeria to avoid their reliance on neighbouring countries for basic amenities that should be provided by the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This he stated, when he paid a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Interior,  Hon (Dr.) Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo on Tuesday, 7^th May, 2024.

Dr. Kelly maintained that government presence has to be felt in the border communities, as substantial number of them fall under ungoverned spaces, and this, he believes, would tackle insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping. The Executive Secretary said, though the country have border control posts, we must also acknowledge that there are a lot of ungoverned spaces that are inlets for banditry and insurgency. He added that the presence of government must not only be felt at the border communities alone, but also at the ungoverned spaces.

He stated that our core mandate is to provide basic amenities, security, and social-economic welfare for the border community dwellers, but most of these communities do not have  the needed basic amenities such as health centres, schools, and good drinking water due to neglect in the past. These have led them to depend on communities in neighbouring countries for same amenities that ought to have been provided by Nigeria.

The Executive Secretary further stated that he does not see himself as a Nigerian of Rivers State extraction, but an ambassador of border communities in the country. He promised that the Agency will do its best to give the needed succour to alleviate the plight of the border communities.

In his response, the Honourable Minister of Interior, Hon (Dr.)  Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, asserted that he believes in the capabilities of Dr. Kelly, as evident in the right steps he has taken in a short timeframe of being at the helm of affairs in BCDA.

Dr. Tunji-Ojo pledged the support of the Federal Ministry of Interior towards achieving the vision and mandate of Border Communities Development Agency under the leadership of Dr. Kelly.

The Minister said, he has seen somebody who understands the mandate of the Agency. He also stated that, because of his passion for the Agency, he had added his voice to the development of the border communities in different fora.

Finally, the Minister emphasized that BCDA is one of the most important Agencies  because of the role it plays in the country, and that the mandate of BCDA cannot be politized as doing so will put millions of Nigerians at risk.

In a concerted effort to fortify relationships with vital stakeholders, Dr. George D.A. Kelly (FNIQS), Executive Secretary of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA), conducted a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of Defence, His Excellency Mohammed Badaru Abubakar (CON), mni. 

During this visit, Dr. Kelly underscored the pivotal role of the Ministry of Defence as a critical member of BCDA’s Governing Board, emphasizing their indispensable partnership in advancing BCDA’s developmental endeavours for the inhabitants of Nigeria’s border communities.

Dr. Kelly told H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar (CON), mni of the proactive measures taken upon his appointment by Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, to revitalize BCDA. Notably, strategic initiatives such as the formulation of a Strategic Action Plan (SAP) and Medium-Term Expenditure Framework for 2024-2027 have been instrumental in charting the course for immediate, short-term, and long-term benefits, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

Highlighting the significance of border communities as Nigeria’s gateway to the international sphere, Dr. Kelly stressed the imperative of prioritizing their welfare, security, and socioeconomic upliftment to foster allegiance to Nigeria. He assured collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Defence and other stakeholders to comprehensively address the needs of these communities.

An illustrative example of BCDA’s swift intervention was shared, citing the ongoing borehole project in the Asaa border community of Ogun State. This initiative aims to mitigate waterborne diseases and enhance healthcare accessibility, addressing a critical need for the community.

Furthermore, Dr. Kelly disclosed BCDA’s intention to secure funding from the Federal Government’s Service Wide Vote (SWV) and explore partnerships with international donor organizations to execute developmental projects. These initiatives aim to ameliorate living conditions and facilitate the resettlement of border communities displaced by the 2002 International Court Judgment (ICJ).

In response, H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar (CON), mni commended Dr. Kelly and BCDA’s proactive approach in tackling the multifaceted challenges faced by border communities. Drawing from his personal experience hailing from a border town, the Minister empathized with the plight of these communities and pledged his unwavering support for BCDA’s strategic endeavours.

Moreover, H.E. underscored the importance of fostering robust collaboration with state Governors, National Assembly members, local government authorities, community leaders, prominent businessmen, and civil society organizations. Their collective input and engagement, he emphasized, are vital for the successful execution of BCDA’s Strategic Action Plan, ensuring tangible socio-economic impact for border residents.

In conclusion, H.E. Mohammed Badaru Abubakar (CON), mni lauded Dr. Kelly’s passion and expressed confidence in BCDA’s ability to excel under his leadership, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to serving the needs of Nigeria’s border communities.