Herdsmen/Farmers’ crisis: Use Land Use Act to acquire land

Of recent, the nation is inundated with the crisis between herdsmen and farmers. From North to South, we hear stories of clashes between the two groups, with some leading to loss of lives and property.

The problem was further worsened by the decision of some governors to issue a quit notice to Fulani herdsmen  staying in their states. This has further raised tension across the country.

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This issue has been persistent for some time now with suggestions that the best way to bring an end to the matter is to settle the herdsmen so that they do not need to travel across the country in search of pasture for their cattle.

The federal government, in reaction to this, introduced the RUGA policy to provide land to settle the herders. However, this was opposed by some state governors, especially those in the South. This has stalled the programme even when the government introduced the National Livestock  Transformation Plan.

However, in view  of the need to save the nation from further turmoil and ensure peace across the country, I will suggest  government should use the Land Use Act to ensure the implementation of the programme.

Section 28 sub-section 4 of the Land Use Act provides that the governor shall provide land to the federal government on request. So the operational word here is “shall’’, meaning it is compulsory for governors to provide land to the federal government on the request of the later.

We should not allow hooligans or non-state actors to take power, like asking particular people to vacate a state, and the government is just watching. I think this is dangerous. If we do not, as a nation, look at this pastoral issue with a view to harnessing the economic benefit, we might be tending towards genocide against a particular group of people, and the world is watching.

Esv. Adamu Kasimu is one-time Chairman of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV), Abuja Chapter