EditorialTHEWILL Editorial: Bill On Grazing Reserves; Matters Arising

THEWILL Editorial: Bill On Grazing Reserves; Matters Arising

SAN FRANCISCO, April 16, (THEWILL) – The Bill at the National Assembly, seeking to create exclusive grazing lands for Fulani herdsmen across the nation, is being welcomed with mixed reactions.

Known as National Grazing Reserve Commission of Nigeria, (NGRC), it seeks to acquire lands for herdsmen in the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, for the preservation and control of reserves and stock routes.

Pessimists have however warned the National Assembly against passing the Bill, stating it is egocentric and prejudiced against landowners and other farmers.

For instance, the proposed NGRC would have sweeping powers to “acquire, hold, lease or dispose of any property, moveable or immoveable for the purpose of carrying out its function.”

Critics are worried by the proviso in the Bill, stipulating that any encroachment into such acquired land shall be punishable by a fine of N50, 000 or five years imprisonment. But it is silent on what punishment awaits any herdsman who strays out of the reserves, to destroy other farmers’ crops and farmlands. The Bill is also quiet on penalties for any herdsman who kills, rapes, terrorizes or disturbs the peace of host communities.

This is pertinent, because the proposed stock routes and reserves would share boundaries with local farmers. Curiously, the Bill states that, “no court of law shall carry out execution in any action, or suit without obtaining the prior consent of the Attorney General of the Federation.”

In asking the National Assembly to reject the Bill, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), asked government to build modern ranches, instead of grazing reserves. They argued it is the practice in developed countries like Argentina.

The pan Yoruba social-political group, Afenifere, dismissed it for attempting to turn private cattle rearing into a national affair. Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, has vowed that the law would not work in his state.

These herdsmen are seen as mere agents of the real owners, who are mostly senior government officials, politicians, businessmen and retired military officers. For instance, President Muhammadu Buhari, is a cattle farmer in his private life. Also, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo and several top politicians are in this category.

THEWILL deeply appreciates the fears being expressed by critics of this Bill. This is more so, at a time when Fulani herdsmen are on the prowl, killing, maiming and destroying property of their host communities. Those who fear a subdual motive in the Bill, question the use of superior weapons by these herdsmen, which government has not dared to probe. Nevertheless, there has to be a permanent solution to these lingering herdsmen/farmers clashes.

THEWILL however believes that the NGRC Bill could be a solution to the herdsmen/farmers crisis. But this would only come if government shows genuine commitment to its implementation. The importance of cattle farming, in meeting the huge demand of meat consumers across the nation cannot be under-estimated. Agriculture and livestock farming is usually capital intensive and highly subsided by governments of the Western nations.

We see these proposed reserves as a kind of subsidy to cattle farming so as to boost the production of meat for all.

THEWILL however recommends that the contentious areas, especially the mode of land acquisition and the unwieldy power of the proposed commission be reviewed in the interest of other stakeholders.

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