Federal Government has reassured its commitment to providing a conducive environment for members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), particularly in Abuja, to rear their cattle without hindrance.
Minister of Livestock Development, Dr. Idi Maiha, gave the assurance during an interactive session with MACBAN leaders and other relevant stakeholders on the recurring issue of cattle grazing in Nigerian cities, especially the Federal Capital Territory, and the challenge of out-of-school children among Fulani pastoralists.
Dr. Maiha stated that grazing in urban areas has remained a top priority for the ministry since he assumed office.
He disclosed that, in collaboration with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, several meetings had been held to develop solutions to the problem in Abuja.
The Minister stated that open grazing in capital cities such as Abuja is not in line with best practices in many countries of the world. He said the ministry is working to revive the four designated grazing areas in the FCT Fakun Kore, Kawu, Karshi, and another site which cover about 33,000 hectares and, according to estimates, can accommodate all the cattle within the territory.
He further explained that the government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to improving the lives of Nigerians. Although parts of these areas have been occupied by people who are not pastoralists, the ministry is studying how to enhance the four grazing reserves in the FCT by providing security and social amenities, so that Abuja pastoralists and those in its environs can make proper use of the facilities.
” He said our study has shown that we need to provide security in those areas which we as ministry been discussing on this with security agencies, we are also going to provide hospitals for their families and animals , Schools fir their children , we also intend to provide small Dams for the animals and already signed agreement with rural electrification agency to provide electricity and soon we start work on that”
According to the Minister, this initiative will pave the way for other cities in the country to emulate, adding that it would improve the socio-economic well-being of Fulani pastoralists in Nigeria and provide the necessary education for their children, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of this administration.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of MACBAN and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, emphasized the importance of this interaction for the development of Fulani pastoralists in Nigeria.
The Sultan believed that these issues have been for decades and need a concerted efforts from both Government and stakeholders to be able to quench it ones and for all, saying the idea of the meeting is to hear from the Fulani Postoralists where it pinches them and what need to be done to end the problems
” We considered this meeting as very important for the development of Fulani and entire country, thus our commitment to attend the meeting and hear from you and what the Government is planning to do for your development, we need your support and understanding so that what ever agreed upon here is a promised and would be fully implemented ”
This he said will give the Government the fundamental steps upon which to lay a solid foundation that will bring to an end the lingering crisis of Fulani all over the country.
He assured Fulani that as leaders they would do all what is required of them to deliver their grievances to the Government for the sustenance of peace and make sure the Government reciprocate what will help in achieving the desired objectives.
Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar commended president Bola Ahmad Tinubu for establishing the ministry of live stock development and other agencies to improve the lives of Fulani and None Fulani alike who are in the business of Cattle rearing in the country.
Meanwhile, the National President of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria MACBAN Baba Usman Ngelzarma, expressed satisfaction with the move, saying many Fulani leaders explained the true situation
” The problems in Abuja is similar to other parts of the country, the Fulani leaders believed that the main reasons why Cattles graze in the cities is not far from insecurity and lack of grazing areas for the postoralists in Abuja, some times where postoralists live for decades were allocated to either farmers or estate developers.
In addition, where ever Fulani go with their cattles are being chased away these and many more are culminated in to all these problems, saying even in Abuja tax force chase them and charged exorbitantly for each cow, infact for a Fulani Postoralists no where is secured for him as a citizen ”
Baba Usman Ngelzarma also said the meeting came at a right time when all the Fulani leaders in the country affirmed to this idea of the ministry of live stock development and agreed that if such infrastructure are provided they would convinced the postoralists to go back to those grazing areas and stay with their Animals and Families for a better life.
Bashir M
