Niger State Government has called on all farmers and herders in the State to support the lofty Agricultural policy of the present administration by living peacefully with one another.
The Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, Sen. Mohammed Sani Musa, made the call when he led the State government delegation on a sympathy visit to the people of Kwali community in Gwada District, Shiroro Local Government of the State over the recent farmer-herder clash in the Area.
Addressing the leaders of the farmers and herders, Sen. Sani Musa described the clash as unfortunate, especially as the farmer Governor has made massive investments in Agriculture to boost food production.
He also noted with dismay the manner in which the farmers and herders behaved especially now that the state government is expending a huge amount in tackling the nefarious activities of bandits in the State.
The lawmaker who maintained that no meaningful development can be achieved without peace, enjoined the people to live peacefully with one another as they have been living together for decades.
While commiserating with the people of the community and the entire Shiroro local government area, Sen. Sani Musa said the Governor has promised to take drastic action against any individual or community that takes law into its hands.
He said the Governor has created the Ministry of Pastoral and Nomadic Affairs to address such issues, adding that both farmers and herders should utilise the Ministry by reporting their cases for further actions by the Ministry.
The Senator said the State government is investigating the issue with the view to prosecuting those found guilty to serve as a deterrent to others while assuring them that the government will also assess the level of damage, and provide support to the victims.
As a lasting solution to the farmer/herder clash, the Senator canvassed support for the ban on open grazing.
Sen. Sani Musa then made a personal cash donation to the farmers and herders including women of the community and promised to provide a borehole, and 10 solar street lights each to the farmers and herders’ settlements as well as grade the road leading to the herders’ settlement.
Also speaking, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alh. Abubakar Usman collaborated with Sen. Sani Musa, saying that the people must learn to be tolerant of each other as the law will always take its course on deviants.
The Commissioner for Pastoral and Nomadic Affairs, Umar Rebe Sanda, who also harped on being patient with each other, said the Ministry has set up committees at local levels to meditate on such issues and relate to the Ministry adding that a meeting with relevant stakeholders will soon be held in all the eight Emirates in the State on need for peaceful co-existence.
The remarks of the Commissioner for Transport, Hadiza Idris Kuta were not different from others even as she promised to send her support, especially to the women of the community.
Kwali Community leader, Rev. Yakubu Awulai Ingila and the Ardo of the Community, Ardo Umar Abubakar in their separate remarks made the commitment to live peacefully going forward.
The clash between farmers and herders which allegedly occurred when some cows strayed into a farm and destroyed some crops, resulted in the death of lives and in a reprisal, food bans and houses were also burnt.
To quell the situation, the State Government despatched a high-powered delegation to console the two warring parties and read the riot act to them.
The delegation where earlier at the Palace of the District Head of Gwada, Mallam Jafaru Musa where the Senator intimated to him of their visit.
In his response, the District Head appreciated the visit and appealed for support from the State government to provide succour to the victims.
