A Bill for an Act to provide for the Establishment, presentation and control of National Grazing Reserves and Livestock Routes and the creation of National Grazing Reserve Commission and for purposes connected therewith, sponsored by Sen. Zaynab Kure  (PDP: Niger South) recently went through Second Reading on the floor of the Senate.

Senators threw their weight behind the creation of a National Grazing Reserve Commission to address the recurring clashes between Fulani nomads and farmers in the country.

Leading the debate on the general principles of the bill, Sen. Zaynab Kure argued that the existing laws governing grazing reserves in Nigeria had over the years been rendered obsolete and ineffective. She stated that the laws were incompatible with the general scheme of the Land Use Act currently in use.  The lawmaker averred that all along, the federal government through the National Livestock Project Department of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture has been at the forefront of implementing these obsolete laws, obviously with multiple problems.

According to Senator Kure, the National Grazing Reserves shall be provided with incentives and facilities such as functional Earth Dams, Water Points, Dairy Processing Centres, Schools, functional Barns and Livestock service centres. Sen. Kure noted that land which is central in all ramifications of the bill could be a service of life if properly put to use and could invariably be a source of destruction if misused.  She added that the bill if passed into law would lead to the establishment of National Grazing Commission that would be empowered to enforce Gracing Reserve Laws across the country.

The Parliamentarian stressed that considering the importance of Reserves, the federal government could acquire land for such purposes from any state of the federation by giving notice to the state government on the desire and purpose of acquiring such land.

Speaking in tandem with the sponsor of the Bill, Senate Deputy Leader, Hon. Ahmed Abdul Ningi (PDP: Bauchi North) said he was delighted with the presentation of the all important bill adding that there iwa need to look at the history of Grazing Reserves in Nigeria which dated back to the colonial period.  He added that it was clear that Nigeria has large pastoralist population existing hand-in-hand with the farmers as far back as the colonial period but it was however, given prominence during the first Republic by the administration of Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa who ensured the establishment and development of Gracing Reserves and Livestock Routes across the length and breath of the then Northern Nigeria.

Senator Ningi stressed that the economic value of Grazing Reserves to the nation included the creation of employment opportunities, large scale production of food for domestic consumption and for export, generation of income for the people and for the government. Sen. Ningi emphasized that the large number of pastoralists in Nigeria, if well harnessed would no doubt diversify the economy and minimize unemployment and inflation in the country as well as serve as a means of identifying the Fulanis.

In his contribution, Senator Gyang Dantong (PDP: Plateau North) commended the sponsor of the bill on the grounds that animal rearing is one of the most important occupations of the people for large scale production of meat and milk as well as a means of farming and a medium of acquiring wealth. Senator Dantong said the acquisition of land for public purposes like schools, hospitals, markets and grazing reserves were very important issues of development that should be at the front burner of policy making and implementation.

Senator Dantong stated that since rearing of animals was done by a particular group of people in the country, there was the need to encourage them to acquire land for the venture. He however noted that government should be very careful in such land allocations in order not to infringe on the rights of other people like farmers and the rural communities.

In his submission, Sen. Yusuf Nagogo (CPC: Nasarawa North) asserted that the bill was not only necessary but timely, for addressing the issue of communal clashes between the Fulani and farmers in parts of the country.  He disclosed that it was a bill that articulated the needs of pastoralists.  Sen. Nagogo revealed that animal rearing has a historical background to the people of the north and in view of its importance, urged his colleagues to support the passage of the bill for second reading.

Sen. Isa Mahammed Galaudu ( PDP: Kebbi North) supported of the bill in all its ramifications, stating that animal production in the country contribute immensely to the nation’s economy.  He noted that for Nigerians to enjoy cheaper dairy products, there was need to encourage pastoralists through acquisition and establishment of Grazing Reserves and Livestock Routes across the country to boost output.  The Senator admitted that the passage of the bill would be a step in the right direction because it would reduce the migration of the Fulani nomads and improve their educational status as well as curtail the incidences of road accidents caused by stray animals crossing the road.

Sen. Tukur Bello (PDP: Adamawa Central) said the issue of Grazing Reserve provides a major source of income for rural communities.  He stated that communal clashes between herdsmen and farmers which have defied solutions by previous administrations would be addressed by the bill if passed and that it would help minimize Fulani migration. The establishment of grazing reserves and the allocation of land would definitely improve their dairy production and in turn restrain them from moving to other places.

Contributing to the debate, Sen. Bagudu Abubakar (PDP: Kebbi South) averred that Grazing Reserves were public places that enhance animal productivity and ought to be encouraged, because it falls in line with Mr. President’s policy of diversifying the economy by opening up and maximizing untapped sectors of the economy. The Reserves would no doubt improve local production of animals and related products for local and international markets thereby generating employment and wealth at the same time.

Sen. Ita Enang (PDP: Akwa Ibom North-East) prayed that the bill be supported to sail through second reading in view of the constitutional question it raises. He recalled that in the past Grazing Reserve laws were passed in the northern region only but not provided for in the South and now animal rearing and pastoralists have spread across the entire country.  The bill would provide an opportunity of addressing the non provision of grazing reserves in the southern States of Nigeria including the Federal Capital Territory for which the National Assembly serves in addressing its constitutional issues.

Sen. Enang who is the Senate Committee Chairman on Rules and Business, added that in establishing Grazing Reserves, the Federal Government is to provide land for thate purpose.  This he said needed consultations between the Federal and State and Local governments in the establishment of Grazing Reserves in Nigeria.

The Senate President, Senator David Mark (PDP: Benue South) urged the sponsor of the bill, Sen. Zaynab Kure to critically analyse and cross check the incompatibility of the bill with the Land Use Act to avoid conflictions and duplication.  Sen. Mark extended the same request to senate Committee on Business and Rules.

There was no dissenting voice to the bill during the Debate. Thereafter, the bill was committed to the Committees on Agriculture, State and Local Government as well as Judiciary.  The committees are to present their report in four weeks time.

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Grazing Reserve Bill: Pay attention Plateau people!!!