The member representing Giade Constituency in Bauchi State House of Assembly, Hon. Dan’umma Bello, has moved a motion calling on the government to reclaim all the cattle routes and grazing reserves in the state.
He said the aim was to accommodate Fulani herders moving from South to North.
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Leading debate on the motion, Hon. Dan’umma explained that the state has many cattle routes but politicians and traditional rulers had encroached into the areas.
He also prayed that the government constructs earth dams in all hitherto existing herdsmen settlements to enable them enjoy unfettered access to pasture and water points.
Dan’umma suggested that at least 10,000 hectares of reclaimed land be allocated to each local government in the state to accommodate the returning herders.
He urged the government to penalise all those involved in encroaching or selling of grazing reserves to serve as deterrent to others.
“Recently, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed constituted a special committee to look into the remote and immediate causes of an uprising that engulfed Zadawa town in Misau LGA.
According to the findings, a grazing area, which existed for several years, is now being cultivated as farmland which led to fracas and subsequent destruction of lives and property of innocent victims,” he said.
Contributing to the debate, Hon. Tijjani Muhammad Aliyu (Azare Madangala Constituency) observed that the motion had been overtaken by events.
He suggested that the House should rather advise the government to implement the recommendations of the committee’s report.
Hon. Baballe Abubakar Dambam (Dambam/Dagauda/Malam Constituency) urged that the motion be referred to the Forestry and Environment Committee to discuss more with the relevant agencies and committees.
The House referred the motion to its committee on forestry and environment for further deliberation.
