Buhari Approves Review Of 368 Grazing Routes In 25 States

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the review of 368 grazing routes across 25 states.

Naija News reports that there has been opposition to the provision of lands for cattle grazing in the Southern region of the country. Governors in the south had jointly banned open grazing in their various states in a bid to curb farmer, headers crisis rocking the region in recent times.

Scores of casualties have been recorded in various states as a result of clashes between farmers and Fulani herdsmen. In the South-West, the newly formed security outfit, Operation Amotekun, have been checkmating the activities herders to protect lives and farm produce of the local farmers, as well as to restore peace in their local communities, Naija News understands.

Amidst opposition, President Buhari on Thursday, August 19 approved recommendations of a committee to review “with dispatch,” 368 grazing sites, across 25 states in the country, “to determine the levels of encroachment.”

Members of the committee include Governor of Kebbi State and Vice Chairman, National Food Security Council, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman of NEC Sub-Committee for National Livestock Transformation Plan, David Umahi, Minister of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono, Minister of Environment, Dr Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar and Deputy Chief of Staff, Ade Ipaye.

In a statement made available to newsmen by presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina, the essence of the development is to curb the bloody clashes between herders and farmers across the country.

“The President’s directive followed his approval of the recommendations of a committee chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari,” Adesina said in a statement.

“Among others, the committee had recommended the collection of field data collection on 368 Grazing Reserves across 25 states to assess encroachment and encroachers, stakeholder engagements and sensitization.

“The Committee also recommended production of maps and geo-mapping/tagging of sites, analysis of findings and report preparations as well as design appropriate communication on Grazing Reserves and operations.

“The number of the Grazing Reserves and States were deduced from considerations of existing security concerns and other pre-existing socio-economic conditions.

Adesina said the President’s directive was that the assignment is undertaken with dispatch to bring more understanding on the Grazing Reserves, and implementation.

“The Technical Sub-Committee consists of representatives from the seven members of the main committee in addition to representatives from Ministry of Justice, Surveyor-General of the Federation, National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) and National Space Research Development Agency (NASRDA).

“Among its Terms of Reference, the Committee was to collate from states and confirm the status of all Grazing Reserves, assess the percentage of available land and those with existing encroachment complications for case-by-case resolution in partnership with state governments and the FCT.

“The Committee will also make recommendations for gazetting of ungazetted Grazing Reserves and create a database of National Cattle Herders and ensure that Grazing Reserves are well communicated to all stakeholders. The inaugural meeting of the Committee was held on May 10, 2021.”