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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The senator representing Bayelsa East, Senator Benson Sunday Agadaga, has allayed fears that the amendment of the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) Act would lead to Bayelsa State ceding some of its lands to neighbouring states.
Senator Agadaga, who clarified the implications of the amendment to the BCDA Act, dismissed fears raised by Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo regarding the proposed amendment.
Senator Agadaga noted that holding different opinions is part of the democratic process, adding, however, that when such opinions are founded on misinformation or an incomplete understanding of the issues, it becomes necessary to set the record straight.
According to him, it is important to declare that the proposed BCDA amendment does not seek to cede any part of Bayelsa State to Rivers State.
“It does not alter state or local government boundaries. Any suggestion to the contrary is simply incorrect.”
He disclosed that the purpose of the amendment is to ensure that deserving border and coastal communities currently excluded from the Border Communities Development Agency framework are included and allowed to benefit from federal government programmes and interventions.
The statement read in part: “For many years, several communities across Bayelsa State have remained outside the scope of the Border Communities Development Agency despite their geographical characteristics and strategic importance.
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“Indeed, no community in Ogbia Local Government Area, Yenagoa Local Government Area, or Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area is currently included within the BCDA framework. Furthermore, a significant number of communities within the Nembe Local Government Area are also excluded from the benefits and interventions provided by the agency.
‘’This exclusion has deprived these communities of access to critical federal development programmes, healthcare facilities, and economic empowerment initiatives that the BCDA was established to provide.
‘’The natural expectation would be that anyone who has served both as chairman of Nembe Local Government Area and as a senator representing the district would appreciate the need for these neglected communities to benefit from federal government interventions rather than oppose efforts aimed at correcting long-standing omissions.
“The amendment before the Senate seeks to address exactly this challenge. This initiative aims to expand opportunities for communities that have been overlooked for decades. It is not a territorial adjustment exercise.
The people of Bayelsa East and, indeed, Bayelsa State deserve access to every lawful federal intervention available to them. Any legislation designed to attract development and enhance the welfare of our people should be encouraged rather than misrepresented.’’
Senator Agadaga reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to protect the interests of Bayelsa State.
‘’ We therefore urge members of the public to disregard attempts to portray this bill as a boundary adjustment measure. The facts are clear. The bill is about development, inclusion, and equity. It is about bringing federal opportunities closer to communities that have been denied them for far too long. The people of Bayelsa deserve facts, not fear. They deserve development, not distractions,’’ he added.
