President task governors to find lasting solutions to farmers/herdsmen crisis

President Muhammadu Buhari has challenged state governors to find lasting solutions to the persistent cases of farmers/herdsmen crisis in the country. The president gave the challenge at an interactive session with members of Katsina Elders’ Forum organised by the Katsina State Government in Katsina.

He tasked the governors to go back to a comprehensive study and report carried out by the defunct Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF) on how best to address farmers/herdsmen conflicts.

"When I was in PTF we did a comprehensive report on grazing reserves and cattle routes across the country. Grazing reserves were carved out; cattle routes were marked out, dams, water and veterinary clinics were also established with the help of our leaders, traditional and district heads at that time.

"Any herdsman, who allowed his cattle to destroy farm land then, would be fined and when he failed to pay his cattle would be sold to pay the fine, and if there was remaining change the amount would be handed over to him.

"But, now what do we see. The grazing reserves and the routes had been taken over by the rich and politicians,’’ he said.According to the president, the disappearance of the grazing reserves and the cattle routes has been causal factor for the persistent conflicts between farmers and herdsmen across the country.

He said he had already directed the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and the Governors’ Forum to study the PTF Report with a view to addressing the menace.

In his contribution at the parley, Alhaji Isa Funtua, a member of the Katsina Elders’ Forum, called for the establishment of vocational training centres in the three senatorial districts of the state.

He said the centres, when operational, would address the problem of delinquencies and unemployment among the young population in the state.

Funtua expressed his readiness to partner with the state government in establishing such training centres. Other speakers at the event commended the foresight and vision of Gov. Aminu Masari for organising the Katsina Business and Investment Summit aimed at attracting investors into the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a Presidential Dinner in honour of President Muhammadu Buhari was also hosted by the Katsina state government.