Amidst the raging controversy surrounding efforts by the Federal Government to find lasting solution to unending herders/farmers crisis across the country, Nasarawa State governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule has said that the National Livestock Transformation Programme is voluntary and not compulsory as being propagated.
Engineer Sule stated this while fielding questions as a guest on Channels Television Friday night as monitored from Lafia.
The governor stressed that Nasarawa is among the states that have volunteered to pilot the NLTP, adding that his administration has allocated six to seven thousand hectares of land at different locations for the project.
It would be recalled that recently, the Northern Governor’s Forum (NGF) at its meeting in Kaduna, adopted the Federal Government’s Livestock Transformation Plan, which essentially provides a mechanism for peaceful dialogue and reconciliation in crisis communities towards harmonious, mutually beneficial region.
The plan equally seeks to modernize pastoral activities.
Shedding more light on the issue, the Nasarawa governor said the NLTP is a well documented programme, comprehensive and that it carries everyone along but it’s optional.
“It’s actually a project of volunteering, it’s for those that have the land, it can be where open grazing can be controlled, so that we can restrict activities of herdsmen to a particular location,” the governor explained.
Engineer Sule said it’s understandable if states like Lagos, that don’t have enough land, said they will not be part of the project.
“I think that’s where a lot of people got it wrong, thinking that some part of Nigeria will be taken to be given to herdsmen, whether the states like it or not.
” It’s purely a voluntary programme, for those who believe that’s the best way to solve herdsman/farmers crisis and to control open grazing, ” Engineer Sule said.
According to the governor, areas designated for the programme will be developed, with schools, clinics, as well as security provided for the people.
On the number of employment expected to be generated in the state when the programme takes off, the governor said even though the NLTP will surely generate employment for the people, his administration is however more concerned with the aspect of security.
“The job issue is important but to be honest with you, for us in Nasarawa State, our interest is more in the area of security,” he stated.
Engineer Sule described as worrisome a situation whereby farmers are afraid to go and harvest their farm produce because of the fear of being attacked.
The governor however estimated that for each location of the project, at least 200 to 300 employment opportunities could be generated.