FG to monitor agric activities at borders

From Okwe Obi, Abuja

The Federal Government, at the weekend, struck a deal with Babanna Boarder Development Agency (BBDA) to check agricultural activities at the borders.

Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi, stated this a in Abuja while playing a host to the Management of the Agency led by its Director-General, Mohammed Garba Danladi.

Abdullahi stated that the partnership would assist the Ministry monitor agricultural activities in that part of the country in liaison with the agency and  the host community.

The minister pointed out the need for data on farmers within and around the border community as there are many agricultural activities in that area, including the movement of Livestock across the border.

He, therefore, directed the setting up of a Joint Action Committee to work out modalities to formalize the relationship between the Ministry and the Agency through a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The Committee comprised some Directors of the Ministry and Senior Officials of the Babanna Border Development Agency.

Earlier, BBDA Director-General Mohammed Garba Danladi, expressed delight over his visit to the Ministry, describing it as a home coming.

He pointed out that the agency was the brainchild of the Federal Government charged with agricultural activities including crop production, marketing while watching movements across the border as it is located at the border between Niger State and Benin Republic.

He, therefore, called for cooperation, support, and partnership with the Ministry to achieve the desired goal.

The Joint Action Committee is to be chaired by the Director Planning and Policy Coordination of the Ministry, Mr. Ibrahim Tanimu was expected to present a draft Memorandum of Understanding in the next meeting of the Committee.