By Charles Chijioke
ABUJA — Senator Benson Sunday Agadaga, representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District, has defended his proposed amendment to the Border Communities Development Agency Act, 2006, describing the legislation as a crucial intervention aimed at correcting long-standing exclusion and extending federal development benefits to neglected coastal and border communities.
Speaking after the bill scaled second reading Wednsday, Senator Agadaga said the amendment had been under legislative consideration since last year and expressed satisfaction that it had reached a significant milestone.
“This is a bill that is very dear to me because it concerns communities that have been overlooked for too long. I thank God that it has finally seen the light of day,” he said.
The lawmaker explained that the proposed amendment seeks to ensure that deserving coastal and border settlements, particularly in Bayelsa State, are captured within the BCDA structure and become eligible for federal interventions targeted at improving living conditions in frontier communities.
According to him, border communities serve as Nigeria’s first point of contact for many visitors entering the country through land and maritime routes, making their development a matter of national importance.
“When people come into Nigeria from neighboring countries or through our coastal routes, the first Nigerians they encounter are those living in border communities. These communities represent the image of our country and should not be left without basic infrastructure and social amenities,” he stated.
The senator observed that although more than 3,000 communities are currently recognized under the agency’s framework, numerous coastal settlements in Bayelsa and other parts of the country remain excluded from the programme’s benefits despite their strategic importance.
He identified communities in Brass, Nembe and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas as key coastal settlements whose contributions to Nigeria’s maritime economy and energy sector justify greater federal attention.
“Bayelsa State has one of the longest coastlines in Nigeria. We are at the heart of the country’s oil and gas production. The economy of the nation depends significantly on resources produced from our region. It is only fair that our communities benefit from the same federal interventions available to other border communities across the country,” he said.
Agadaga also disclosed that the amendment seeks to correct what he described as administrative anomalies involving communities currently listed under Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State but geographically situated within Rivers State.
He argued that proper classification would guarantee that genuine border communities in Bayelsa receive their rightful allocation of development projects and federal support under the Act.
While acknowledging that development often contributes to security, the senator emphasized that the primary focus of the proposed legislation is to improve the quality of life in underserved communities.
“This bill is not fundamentally about insecurity.
It is about attracting federal government attention to neglected communities. If people have access to potable water, electricity, schools, healthcare and economic opportunities, they become more productive and contribute meaningfully to national development,” he said.
He maintained that expanding access to infrastructure and social services would help reduce poverty, unemployment and social discontent, factors frequently associated with rising criminality.
“When communities are developed and people can provide for their families, the temptation to engage in kidnapping or other criminal activities is greatly reduced. Development itself becomes a tool for promoting security,” he added.
The proposed amendment comes amid growing calls for equitable distribution of federal development programmes and greater attention to Nigeria’s riverine and coastal regions, many of which continue to grapple with inadequate infrastructure despite their strategic economic significance.
If enacted, the legislation could broaden access to federal development projects, strengthen government presence in underserved coastal settlements and potentially accelerate socio-economic growth across affected communities. It may also trigger a nationwide review of communities currently listed under the BCDA framework to ensure accurate classification and equitable allocation of resources.
Expressing optimism about the bill’s prospects, Senator Agadaga said he expects the legislation to complete the remaining stages of the National Assembly and secure presidential assent.
“This amendment is about fairness, inclusion and national development. It is about ensuring that no deserving border community is left behind,” he said.
