N100B EARMARKED TO SET UP RANCHES IN A BID TO STOP INDISCRIMINATE GRAZING

The National Economic Council (NEC) yesterday demanded the intervention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to provide N100 billion seed funds for establishment of ranches in states of the federation.
Also, the Federal Government has resolved to gradually phase out the movement of cattles from one place to the other by pasturerists and restricting them to grazing reserves in states.
This formed the highpoint of recommendations of the Presidential Committee report on grazing reserves headed by Benue State Governor, Gabriel Suswam, which presented its report to the NEC meeting presided yesterday by Vice President Namadi Sambo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The measures on establishment of ranches and grazing reserves were targeted at minimizing conflicts and security challenges associated with movement of cattles from one place to the other.
In a 15 point recommendations of the Committee, NEC adopted 14 of them which include regulation of pasturerists from neighbouring countries coming into Nigeria.
The report highlighted critical issues that must be considered among others: struggle for land and water resources by the herdsmen and farmers; uncontrolled influx of nomadic farmers into Nigeria; issues on grazing reserves in states.
Some key recommendations in the report are: “CBN to provide seed funding of N100bn to assist states establish mini modern ranches across the federation; all grazing reserves/cattle routes already gazette and encroached upon should be recovered and improved upon taking into consideration the present day realities; ranching and modern technologies of livestock production be established – meat processing and packaging e.g. Halal certified; sensitization/education workshops for herdsmen and farmers to build trust and confidence between the parties with National Orientation Agency (NOA) and relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to handle the enlightenment campaigns.”
The NEC after consideration of the recommendations amended some of it and appointed the Hon. Minister of National Planning, Suleiman Abubakar Minister of Agriculture, Adesina Akinwunmi and Benue State governor to come up with the final framework for approval and implementation.
Further, Governor Suswam explained that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim made presentation on the draft regulations of the Land use Act, 2013.
The Presidential Technical Committee on Land Reform (PTCLR) which was reconstituted by the President in November 2011, outlined among others the following terms of reference including to “Provide technical assistance to States and local governments to undertake land cadastral nationwide; determine individual possessory rights using best practices and most appropriate technologies; Encourage and assist States and local governments to establish an arbitration mechanism for land ownership conflict resolution; make recommendation on mechanism for land valuation in both urban and rural areas in the Federation; and any other recommendation that will ensure effective, simplified, sustained and successful land administration in Nigeria.”
PTCLR observed among others that “There is critical and urgent need to address the obvious and critical weakness in legal framework for land governance in the country.”
NEC, however, directed state governors and other stakeholders to study the report, prepare inputs and present at the next meeting.
Daily Newswatch.