The Southern Nigeria Governors Forum has resolved to stop open grazing of cattle across Southern Nigeria.
The Forum, comprising of the 17 governors of the three southern regions (East, South South and West) also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately convoke a national parley on restructuring, to address the nation over the worsening state of insecurity across the country.
At a historic four hour meeting at Government House, Asaba Tuesday, the Southern Governors Forum observed that the incursion of armed herders, criminals and bandits into the Southern part of the country has presented a severe security challenge.
In a communiqué jointly signed by 15 governors present at the crucial meeting, the governors reviewed the situation in the nation focusing on the current security situation and noted that the “citizens are not able to live their normal lives including pursuing various productive activities leading to a threat to food supply and general security.”
They noted that development and population growth has put pressure on available land and increased the prospects of conflict between migrating herders and local populations in the South.
“Given this scenario, it becomes imperative to enforce the ban on open grazing in the South (including cattle movement to the South by foot)”, the forum restated.
The Southern Nigeria Governors Forum presided over by Chief Rotimi Akeredolu, governor of Ondo state, rather recommended that the Federal Government should support “WILLING” States to develop alternative and modern livestock management systems.
The governors affirmed the peoples of Southern Nigeria’s remain commitment to the unity of Nigeria but on the basis of justice, fairness, equity and oneness and peaceful co-existence between and among its peoples with a focus on the attainment of shared goals for economic development and prosperity.
The forum also recommended that the Federal Government should convoke a national dialogue as a matter of urgency in view of widespread agitations among our various peoples for greater inclusiveness in existing governance arrangements,
“Agreed that the progress of the nation requires that urgent and bold steps be taken to restructure the Nigerian Federation leading to the evolution of state police;
“Review of revenue allocation formula in favour of the sub-national governments and creation of other institutions which legitimately advance our commitment to and practice of true federalism”, the governors parley proffered.
“In deference to the sensitivities of our various peoples, there is need to review appointments into Federal Government Agencies (including Security Agencies) to reflect federal character as Nigeria’s overall population is heterogenous;
resolved to foster cooperation among the Southern States and the nation at large”, the governor noted.
They expressed concern on the continued gridlock on the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway and the chokehold it has exerted on the nation’s economy being the sole outlet from Apapa Wharf.
The meeting therefore recommended the activation and establishment of ports in other States of the federation to create new jobs and promote socio-economic activities in the country.
The meeting expressed further concern on the economic implications of another lockdown on the country, and therefore suggested greater coordination and cooperation between Federal and State Governments in evolving strategies for dealing with the pandemic.
