FG Earmarks N5b For Grazing Reserves In 2018 Budget

The federal government set aside N5.3 billion for national grazing reserve development in the 2018 appropriation bill being considered by the National Assembly.

It was gathered that the development is to curb farmers-herdsmen clashes in the country.

Recall that scores of persons have been killed recently in Benue, Taraba and Adamawa states by men suspected to be herders.

The government is also planning the establishment of cattle colonies across the country, a development that has been rejected by states in the south.

In a related development, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has rejected plans for the establishment of cattle colonies.

Public Relations Officer of northern CAN Reverend Joseph Hayab said the development is like putting the horse before the cart.

“The issue of cattle colony will not address the killings because why are those people killing? If you provide them with cattle colony, will they stop the killing? The killings will not stop because you have not removed evil from the heart of a man and you are providing him with colony,” Hayab told Daily Sun.

“Now, whose land are you going to take and provide the colony? It is when the right thing is done that the people can now sit down and talk, dialogue before we even begin to talk of providing or not providing colony.

“Government is even contradicting itself by saying those killing the people are not Fulani, so, if they are not Fulani, who, then, are you providing the cattle colony for?”