By Chinyere Anyanwu
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has inaugurated a Farmer-Herder Conflict Prevention Committee to address recurring clashes between the two groups.
Speaking during the inauguration ceremony held at the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Bauchi at the weekend, Governor Mohammed said the state, like many others across Nigeria, continues to grapple with deadly conflicts between farmers and herders, which have resulted in the loss of lives and property.
He explained that the establishment of the committee was necessitated by the need to proactively address and mitigate these challenges.
The governor, who was represented by his Principal Private Secretary, Hashimu Yakubu, said his administration was actively participating in the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project. He added that the initiative includes critical components such as the provision of pasture, supplementary feed, disease control and water for pastoralists.
Outlining the committee’s mandate, Governor Mohammed said it includes: “To regularly check and monitor the movements of herdsmen and their livestock along the stock routes 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 loss or damage to farm produce or livestock.”
He urged committee members to apply their experience and wisdom in carrying out the responsibilities assigned to them.
Also speaking at the event, the National Project Coordinator of the L-PRES Project, Sunusi Abubakar, charged the committee with the responsibility of reshaping the narrative around farmer-herder conflicts in the state.
Represented by the Social Safeguard Officer, Nazif Abubakar, the L-PRESS National Project Coordinator said, “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.”
In his acceptance remarks, the Chairman of the committee and Commissioner for Livestock Development, Bala Lukshi, expressed gratitude to the governor for the confidence reposed in them.
He also called on all stakeholders, especially religious leaders, security agencies, farmers and herders, to promote dialogue and peaceful coexistence in the state.
The committee comprises Dr. Bala Lukshi as Chairman and Muhammad Harsanu as Secretary. He pledged that the committee would discharge its duties with diligence.
Other members include Harsanu Tukur, Dr. Aisha Balarabe, Alhaji Yakubu Jibrin, Hussaini Saraki, Yohana Barau, Amina Aliyu, Hajiya Rashida Yusuf, and Fatima Adamu.