By: Monday Danladi, Bauchi
Bauchi State Governor, Sen Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, on Monday, accepted full responsibility for the poor implementation and enforcement of the State’s livestock right-of-way policy aimed at checking the incessant herders/farmers violent clashes.
The development was following series of genuine concerns raises on the enforcement and implementation of the policy by relevant stakeholders.
The Governor therefore ordered the immediate suspension of the policy during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Governor’s Office in Bauchi convened to address concerns surrounding the enforcement of the Executive Order and the State Law providing designated right-of-way for livestock and other road users.
The meeting brought together representatives of farmers’ and livestock farmers’ associations, traditional institutions, security agencies and relevant government ministries and departments.
Bala Mohammed while addressing the stakeholders, explained that the policy was introduced to reduce clashes between crop farmers and livestock farmers, particularly during the farming season.
He said the measure, which included provision for cattle routes, was inspired by similar initiatives in other States and was designed as a common solution to challenges affecting both crop and livestock farmers.
The Governor, however, expressed concern over the use of chemicals in clearing livestock routes, warning that such methods could harm animals and undermine the objective of the policy.
He said the enforcement was also poorly timed, as farmers were approaching the harvest period and could suffer losses from the application of chemicals on their farms.
Bala Mohammed accepted responsibility for the shortcomings in the implementation, particularly the inadequate sensitisation of stakeholders before enforcement began.
He specifically faulted the Ministry of Agriculture and the Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme (BASDP) for failing to sufficiently communicate the policy to farmers and livestock owners.
The Governor directed the Commissioner for Agriculture to halt the implementation immediately and work with stakeholders to determine a better approach.
He suggested that adequate preparations and sensitisation should be carried out before any renewed enforcement, possibly from the beginning of the next farming season.
The Governor said that stronger cooperation between farmers and livestock owners was essential, particularly during the dry and rainy seasons, to protect livelihoods and sustain peaceful coexistence.
He faulted inadequate public sensitisation ahead of major farming periods, saying farmers needed early and accurate information on government directives and approved agricultural practices.
He said early communication would not only protect crops and livestock but also prevent misunderstanding, protect farmers’ investments and reduce tensions between farming and pastoral communities.
The Governor further directed relevant authorities to enforce agricultural regulations while ensuring that affected communities were adequately informed before implementing policies or restrictions.
Speaking earlier, the Secretary to the Bauchi State Government (SSG), Aminu Hammayo, said the meeting was convened to address complaints over both the enforcement of the livestock right-of-way policy and the methods being used by enforcement personnel.
He said the policy was backed by an Executive Order and legislation passed by the State House of Assembly, stressing that its purpose was to promote law and order while ensuring peaceful coexistence among farmers, livestock owners and other road users.
The SSG urged government agencies, farmers’ associations, livestock owners and other stakeholders to work together in addressing agricultural challenges before they escalated into conflicts.
He also said the government was committed to finding practical solutions that would protect livelihoods, improve agricultural productivity and strengthen peaceful relations among communities in Bauchi State.
Aminu Hammayo assured that government will look into the various concerns and use it to map out a more acceptable way to enforce and implement the Executive Order for the good of all.
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