The Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has inaugurated a Farmer-Herder Conflict Prevention Committee to take action against numerous clashes in the state.
Speaking at the inauguration held at the Bauchi State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs on Saturday, Bala noted that Bauchi and other parts of the country in Nigeria have been facing the challenges of farmers’ crises and herders that claimed the lives and properties of many innocent victims.
He stated that this necessitates the formation of a committee aimed at mitigating the problems.
Gov Bala, represented by his Principal Private Secretary, Hashimu Yakubu, said the terms of reference for the committee include,
‘To regularly check and monitor the movements of herdsmen and their livestock along the stock roots to prevent farmers-herders’ clashes.
‘To enlighten farmers and herders on the importance of each other to the poor society and the need for peaceful coexistence.
‘Encouraging disputing parties to resolve their grievances amicably as well as accessing compensation in respect of laws or damage to farm produce or livestock’, he highlighted.
Bala appealed to the members of the committee to use their wealth of experience in the discharge of their assignment.
The governor also revealed that his administration is participating in the livestock productivity and resilience support L-PRES Project, as part of the project component is the provision of pasture, supplementary pit, control of diseases and provision of water for pastoralists.
On his part, the National Project Coordinator, L-PRES Project, Sunusi Abubakar, charged the committee to change the narrative of farmer-herder clashes in the state and bring positive development.
Represented by the Social Safeguard Officer, Nazif Ibrahim Wada, he revealed that the committee is saddled with the responsibility of mapping out the conflict, clash areas, community engagements, sensitisation, as well as mobility of livestock within the state, among others’.
The appointed Chairman of the Committee, who doubles as the Commissioner of the Ministry for Livestock Development, Bala Lukshi, in his acceptance speech appreciated the governor for finding them worthy to serve in those capacities, promising the committee will discharge their duties diligently.
He called on the stakeholders in the state, particularly religious leaders, security personnel, farmers and herders, to create dialogue for peaceful coexistence in the state.
The inaugurated committee also includes, Muhammad Bura Harsanu as Secretary, and the following individuals as members; Harsanu Muhammad Tukur, Dr. Aisha Balarabe, Alhaji Yakubu Jibrin, Barrister Hussaini Saraki, Engineer Yohana Barau, Amina Garba Aliyu, Hajiya Rashida Yusuf, and Fatima Adamu.
