- Says Rehabilitation Of Grazing Reserves Will Commence In June
The presidency has reacted to the ban on open grazing by the Southern Governors, noting that their resolution did not go far enough to offer solution to the hydra-headed herders-farmers conflict in the country.
The presidency in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu also said the Governors’ resolution against open grazing during their historic meeting in Asaba, Delta State recently is of “questionable legality.”
The New Diplomat observes that this line of thought tallies with that of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), who had earlier described the decision of the southern governors to ban open grazing unconstitutional.
“It is about constitutionality within the context of the freedoms expressed in our constitution. Can you deny the rights of a Nigerian?” Malami had stated.
But human rights lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN) had criticised the AGF for wrongly asserting that the constitution of Nigeria allows animals to move freely in the country.
“With respect, the ban on open grazing has not affected the rights of herders to move freely and acquire land in any state for the establishment of ranches in line with the provisions of sections 41 and 43 of the constitution.
“Since the constitution does not cover the right of animals to move freely and destroy farmlands it is grossly misleading to give the impression that the ban on open grazing has abrogated the right of herders to carry out their business.” Falana said.
Recall Southwest leaders of the All Progressives Congress had on Sunday backed the ban on open grazing by the Southern Governors following their meeting in Lagos.
However, the presidency in the statement expressed commitment towards ending the herders-farmers crisis, noting that baring any last minutes change, the rehabilitation work on grazing reserves in the country would commence in June.
The presidency said the grazing reserves would provide permanent solution to the frequent clashes as well as the associated problem of the gun-wielding “killer herdsmen.”
Shehu in the statement said that President Muhammadu Buhari had approved a number of specific measures to bring a permanent end to the crisis in line with recommendations contained in a report by Alhaji Sabo Nanono, the Minister of Agriculture, submitted to the President in April.
He said the recommendations were made “before the actions of the Southern Governors Forum which attempts to place a ban on open grazing and other acts of politicking intended by its signatories to demonstrate their power.”
According to the statement, “It is very clear that there was no solution offered from their resolutions to the herder-farmer clashes that have been continuing in our country for generations.
“But the citizens of the southern states – indeed citizens of all states of Nigeria – have a right to expect their elected leaders and representatives to find answers to challenges of governance and rights, and not to wash their hands off hard choices by, instead, issuing bans that say: “not in my state.”
“It is equally true that their announcement is of questionable legality, given the Constitutional right of all Nigerians to enjoy the same rights and freedoms within every one of our 36 states (and FCT) -regardless of the state of their birth or residence.
“Fortunately, this declaration has been preempted, for whatever it is intended to achieve and Mr. President, who has rightly been worried about these problems more than any other citizen in consultation with farmers and herders alike, commissioned and approved an actionable plan of rehabilitating grazing reserves in the states, starting with those that are truly committed to the solution and compliant with stated requirements.”
The statement further added, “With veterinary clinics, water points for animals, and facilities for herders and their families including schooling – through these rehabilitated reserves, the Federal Government is making far-reaching and practical changes allowing for different communities to co-exist side-by-side: supporting farmers to till their fields, herders to rear their livestock and Nigerians everywhere to be safe.
“The entire country is acutely aware of the strain the COVID-19 pandemic has taken on public finances, for both Federal and States. Still, given the pressing urgency of addressing the perennial challenges, the federal funding for the project that has been delayed is now being partly unlocked.
“Actual work for the full actualization of the modern reserve system in a few of the consenting states should take off in June.”
