News in brief:
-Â Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni issues a stern warning to herders to avoid tresspassing into farmlands and called for peace between both sides.
– He also encouraged local government leaders to promote irrigation farming and warns against misuse of public funds.Â
Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni, has issued a stern warning, urging both herders and farmers to maintain peace and avoid conflicts over grazing lands.
The governor made this statement while addressing newly sworn-in local government caretaker management committee chairmen. Buni emphasised the importance of preventing clashes during harvest seasons and cattle migrations.
He said that grazers should avoid trespassing on farmlands, while farmers should refrain from blocking cattle routes that hinders their free movement.
Recognising the state’s pursuit of food sufficiency and security, Buni encouraged heas of local government areas to promote irrigation farming among their constituents. He remarked that the state government is ready to collaborate and support any council that embraces irrigation farming.
Furthermore, he warned against any misuse or diversion of public funds. On this note, he directed the State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to closely monitor the performance of the management committees.
Additionally, he charged the chairmen to align themselves with the policy of cost-effective governance. He urged them to strive to make governance less expensive and prioritise projects and programs that directly impact people’s lives.
The Yobe state governor’s warnings and directives come against the backdrop of the State House of Assembly’s recent extension of the tenure of local government caretaker management committee chairmen to six months. The extension provides an opportunity for the committees to implement effective strategies for maintaining peace between herders and farmers while promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
Analysts say the governors efforts efforts at balancing the needs of herders and farmers while promoting food security, is commendable. This is because it demonstrate a commitment to peaceful coexistence and agricultural prosperity.
It is similar to moves by the Edo State government to reduce clashes between both parties. In its case, it is promoting a traceability system to hold herders accountable for cattle movements and track them.
