From Asile Emmanuel, Jos
The federal government’s policy on modern way of livestock production to improve agriculture sector in Nigeria has received a boost, following the recommendations submitted by a 14 member committee set up by the Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong to study the policy.
At a joint consultative forum of Plateau State Peace Building Agency and Traditional council of chiefs held at the New Government House in Little Rayfield, the stake holders embraced the policy, saying the controversy that has greeted the policy was due largely to lack of proper awareness.
The Plateau State Peace Building Agency and Traditional Council of Chiefs formally held a consultation and dialogue meeting with traditional rulers to fine-tune arrangements for the proposed take-off of ranch pilot scheme in Plateau State.
Governor Lalong who before now had been in a dilemma over the policy, but might finally secured succour due to the explanations the committee has been able to give on the issue.
Welcoming stakeholders to the session, Lalong said in his desire to run an all-inclusive government he has decided to constitute the conflict management resolution bureau to continue to mediate and enhance unity among the people.
He said it became imperative to engage the bureau made up of CAN, JNI, professors, lawyers and traditional rulers in the on-going consultation on the ranch policy so that they would follow up to find out more about the concept.
He said: “We want Peace and from here we will engage other stakeholders and the people in general as it is recommended by the committee’s interaction with the minister of agriculture to let them understand that the scheme is for everybody.
He said he became confused because of the explanation given by the former Governor of Benue, Gabriel Suswam, at the national executive council meeting, which is being interpreted in some quarters in a way that gave him concern.
He said the policy was not compulsory for anybody or state but he decided to involve Plateau in it because it was agreed at the National Assembly and the budget has already been approved for it.
However, those who spoke according to their findings, Prof. Ochakpa Onazi, Prof. Dakkas C. Dakkas and Prof. Garba Sharbutu said the policy has great advantage for the residents.
They said that the minister of agriculture was thoroughly engaged on both the security and legal implications and they were convinced beyond reasonable doubt that if the policy was properly handled it would stand the test of time.
Prof. Dakkas on the legal aspect said the misconceptions and misunderstanding of the people on the policy was based on insinuations that it was the APC and President Muhammadu Buhari’s design to grab land for the Fulani, describing this as “fallacy.”
According to him, “the general apprehension and misconception is that government wants to come in to grab and commandeer the peoples land, but the governor also knows that The Land Use Act of 1978 will not allow any body to take over your land. Government will work with community leaders and land owners towards the purpose”.
He said what people need to be aware of was that in the course of their investigation, it was understood that there had never been an executive bill before the National Assembly, “rather there has been a private bill to that effect” and urged the public to query the legislators should they bring such issues to them.
The gathering was preceded with a close-door meeting where the government and other stakeholders were given an overview on the ranch policy, the committee report and feedback from the traditional council.
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