The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has proposed the establishment of a National Pastoralist Commission by the Federal Government to safeguard the interests of Nigerian herdsmen.
This suggestion comes amidst the ongoing debate regarding the proposed legislation to abolish open grazing and institute ranching agencies, which has generated varied opinions among stakeholders in Nigeria.
NEF, through its Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, on Sunday, argues for the need to address the concerns and challenges faced by herders through specialized initiatives, similar to those implemented for other communities in the South, such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the OMPADEC.
They emphasize the importance of supporting pastoral communities to enhance their livelihoods.
The Forum acknowledges the necessity of transitioning from open grazing to ranching for more sustainable and modern livestock management. However, it stresses the significance of engaging all stakeholders in constructive dialogue to find a balanced solution that considers the interests of all parties involved.
NEF advocates for policies and programs that facilitate this transition while ensuring the well-being of pastoral communities and addressing environmental and security issues associated with open grazing.
In response to the disagreements within the National Assembly regarding the proposed law, NEF calls for a collaborative decision-making approach that takes into account the diverse perspectives and concerns of all stakeholders.
They urge the immediate identification of suitable lands across the country for grazing reserves and cattle routes, proposing the use of extant provisions of the Land Use Act to address resistance.
Furthermore, NEF proposes the proclamation of a National Policy on Grazing and Livestock Development (NPGLD) to cater to the needs of pastoral communities nationwide.
“We propose the proclamation of a National Policy on Grazing and Livestock Development (NPGLD) to cater for the needs of all the pastoral communities everywhere in the country.”
They also advocate for the establishment of a Special Intervention Initiative through government bodies like the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and relevant ministries to provide support for livestock development policies and the creation of special funds for pastoral communities, akin to existing federal government interventions like the Anchor Borrowers Programme.
Finally, NEF emphasizes the urgency of setting up a National Pastoralist Commission (NPC) to address matters affecting the well-being and interests of citizens whose livelihoods depend on livestock rearing.
“We call for the immediate setting up of a National Pastoralist Commission (NPC) to act on all matters affecting the wellbeing and interests of all citizens whose livelihoods depend on livestock rearing.”
They highlight the precedent of establishing specialized structures to tackle specific challenges faced by communities in the South and assert that similar initiatives should be created for herdsmen to ensure lasting peace and stability.
