Tobias Sylvester
The Northern Governors has called on the Federal Government to provide funds for the establishment of cattle ranches across the region for Fulani herdsmen.
Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, who is the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, made the call during an appearance on Channels Television’s News on Tuesday.
According to him, cattle ranching is the only way to tackle the recurring clashes recorded between herders and their host communities in the southwest.
And with the rise of banditry and recent quit notices being bandied across the country, ranching offers the “the only way to control the insecurity,” Lalong added.
“We were advising the federal government to also give grants to states that are ready with land,” he said.
“We are not saying that it is compulsory for states that are not ready. But many states in the North are ready.
“We need some grants to start so that these people will not be moving here and there. We need to also keep them in one place. It’s business. So definitely, that’s the only way to control the insecurity.”
Lalong said all stakeholders, including members of cattle herders associations across the country, were on board with the idea of ranching.
“But there is this lack of funds to the state, there is lack of encouragement to the state. When you start restricting people, you must provide alternatives,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Miyetti Allah have disclosed that herdsmen in other parts of the country have indicated interest to relocate to the Kano State RUGA settlement.
