Provide adequate Security to peasant farmers Gbong Gwom tells Federal Government.

By Pam Moses

The Gbong Gwom Jos and chairman Plateau State Council of chiefs and Emirs Da. Jacob Gyang Buba, has challenged Federal Government to provide adequate security for peasant farmers in the Middle Belt States to avert looming food scarcity in the country.

He said farmers in the region are threatened on daily basis by the unabated attacks and killings by Fulani herdsmen which has made farming activities difficult and virtually impossible in the agricultural region.

Da. Buba disclosed this on Friday during the 2018 Nzem Berom Cultural Festival, tittle “Irresistible Land People, Culture and Agricultural Economy, held at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium Jos, Plateau State.

“Despite our prayers today for a bountiful harvest, it is very unfortunate that farmers in the country, particularly in the Middle Belt States are threatened by different forms of insecurity. The Federal, States and Local Government Areas in the country must take a critical look into the spates of insecurity before starvation attack Nigeria.

“I believed firmly that the issues of insecurity in the country has not gone beyond government and the security agencies. I must appreciate their efforts so far but much is still left undone to halt the killings of innocent farmers.”

The Paramount ruler blamed the persistent level of insecurity in the country on the deliberates neglects of the traditional institutions by Federal, State and Local Government, saying the issues of tradition should not be equated with politics.

Da. Buba challenged the traditional institutions to tackle the raising cases of cultism, drug abuse and other forms of criminality among youths in the country and pledged the commitment of the Berom Nation in collaborating with government at all level in tackling insecurity in the country.

Buba who was the former Comptroller-General of Nigerian Customs, also called on the Plateau State Government to look into the land administration in the state which has contributed to huge dispute in the state.

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, who was represented by his Deputy, Prof. Sonni Tyoden, said government will continue to consolidate on the returned of peace in Plateau which was characterized by insecurity in the past.

“I will not fail to continue in my commendation of the entire Berom Nation, for her commitment to the peace building process on the Plateau. Your sincere contribution to the development of a peace architecture for Plateau, through the Berom-Fulani peace committee that we put in place on our assumption of office, has yielded good fruits with the near total cessation of the return of relative peace to most of the Berom villages which were hitherto under attack.

“We will together continue to consolidating on the return of peace through effective community policing and other security measures that will identify and prosecute criminal elements who have taken advantage of the situation, to sustain the vicious circle of violence for their criminal gains.”

Lalong commended the Berom Nation for a peaceful festival and urged them to sustain the cultural celebration because of the value and its significant to Plateau and the nation at large.

Amongst the dignitaries that witness the 2018 Nzem Berom to include the Minister of sports and Youth Development Hon. Solomon Dalung, Former Minister of Interior Abba Maro who represented the Former Senate President Senator David Mark and Traditional Rulers from Nasarawa states.

The cultural festival features the display of rich heritage of the Berom People of Plateau state.

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Provide adequate Security to peasant farmers Gbong Gwom tells Federal Government