BCDA: Leadership tussle cripples federal agency as ministry withholds N10bn

A bitter leadership crisis has brought the Border Communities Development Agency (BCDA) to a standstill, with the Federal Ministry of Finance refusing to release an approved N10 billion allocation. The ministry stressed that public funds can only be released after statutory and administrative requirements are met, and the current leadership dispute at the BCDA prevents this.

“

The Ministry of Finance cannot and will not comment on the internal administrative process of the BCDA.

Efe Ovuakporie, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Ministry of Finance, stated that the ministry cannot comment on the BCDA's internal processes. However, she clarified that before releasing public funds, the ministry ensures all requirements are satisfied. "Where there are issues requiring clarification regarding the leadership or governance of any agency, it is only prudent that such matters are resolved to ensure accountability and the proper application of public resources," she said. While not confirming the fund blockage, her statement made it clear that money will not flow while the leadership question remains unresolved.

The standoff originated from a disputed succession. On June 26, President Bola Tinubu appointed former House of Representatives spokesman Abdulrazak Namdas as the new Director-General of the BCDA, replacing Dr. Dakorinama George, who had resigned to contest an election. However, Dr. George, a former Rivers State Commissioner for Works, has refused to leave office. He has continued to hold official meetings, including one with the Finance Minister, where he reportedly appealed for timely budget releases and highlighted the agency's N50 billion allocation in the 2026 budget.

“

On the issue of the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy reportedly withholding funds, you should understand that as a matter of due process, the ministry takes appropriate steps to ensure that all statutory and administrative requirements are satisfied before the release of public funds.

A source indicated that the N10 billion payment was halted due to the ongoing situation, with media reports prompting the minister to stop the disbursement. "Activities at the BCDA are now paralysed," the source added, underscoring the significant disruption caused by the leadership vacuum. The agency's operations are effectively crippled as a result of this internal conflict.

“

Where there are issues requiring clarification regarding the leadership or governance of any agency, it is only prudent that such matters are resolved to ensure accountability and the proper application of public resources.