A former governor of Kano State now senator representing Kano Central district, Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has expressed optimism that his bill on the establishment of grazing agency, would end incessant clashes between herders and farmers in the country.
The Grazing Areas Management Agency (establishment) Bill 2016 scaled the mandatory first reading on the floor of the Senate two weeks ago.
In an explanatory memorandum on the bill, the All Progressives Congress senator said it would also boost farmers’ capacity to have increased food production and safe rearing of animals.
SEE: Controversial Grazing Reserves Bill Lands In Senate, Scales First Reading
“This bill seeks to establish Grazing Areas Management Agency to manage demarcated national, state and local grazing areas, routes and livestock ranching reserves in states that require it, which will facilitate peaceful co-existence between nomadic pastoralists and agriculturalists, thereby enhancing farmer’s capacity to have increased food production and safe rearing of animals”, Kwankwaso said in the explanatory memorandum on the bill.
The bill, he added, seeks to create a mechanism for prevention of crisis by setting standing mediation committees in states and local government areas where the grazing areas, routes and ranches are located and saddled with the responsibility of mediation between the parties.
The bill, it was learnt, would be listed for second reading at end of the ongoing recess of the National Assembly.
