By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Nigerian Senate on Tuesday dismissed a move for the creation of fresh grazing routes for herdsmen to prevent cattle from straying into farmlands and graze on cash crops, a situation that has often sparked conflict with local farmers.
The rejection is in response to an additional prayer by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, a member of the governing APC representing Borno North which called on the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to create new grazing routes in the country as a way to solve farmer/herder clashes in the country.
The Senate was considering a motion moved by Senator Isah Jibrin, a member of APC representing Kogi East on the attack and killing of residents in Omala Local Government Area in Kogi State, North Central by Herdsmen.
Jibrin had lamented an attack on his constituents in Omala local government area of Kogi state by herders, where he alleged that over 500 persons were killed and their houses razed by the invading herders.
Senator Monguno in his contribution argued that the creation of grazing routes will be a permanent solution to the issue of incessant clashes between herders and farmers.
A former President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan representing Yobe North argued that government should provide for the sustainability of livestock business in the country which he said is worth N30trillion annually.
He added that herders who have lost their cattle to rustling should be assisted by the government to acquire livestock to keep them occupied and productive.
He said if the Federal Government in the past bailed out banks, and gave grants to DisCos and GenCos to keep them in business, “there is nothing wrong for the Federal Government to provide subsidy for herders who have lost their cattle to rustlers.
“This is a security issue as much as it is an economic issue. We should say it as it is because we are looking for solutions.
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“We must continue to protect the lives and property of our citizens, which is the essence of governance.
“The livestock industry is worth over N30 trillion, we cannot ignore it. We must ensure that the federal government resuscitates the livelihoods of those (herders) who want to remain within the boundaries of the law”.
A former Labour leader, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, called for a national summit to proffer lasting solutions to farmers/herders clashes in the country.
This also attracted the backing of Sen. Sunday Karimi, representing Kogi West. According to him, the summit would holistically address the conflict between farmers and herders.
The Senate therefore resolved on hosting a summit to address the menace.
Heritage Times HT reports that conflict between herders and farmers has become a recurrent decimal in several parts of the country, causing loss of several lives and properties.
Repeated attempts to create a ranch for herders have been resisted by the leadership of cattle breeders who say it violates their traditional way of plying their business.
