Cattle Colonies to Create 322,000 Jobs

A group of Fulani herdsmen under Global Peace and Life Rescue Initiative (GOPRI) has called for support for the Federal Government's plan to build cattle colonies all over the country in a bid to bring an end to farmers and herders clashes across the country.

According to a report by The Daily Trust, GOPRI's Director, Press and Public Affairs, Dr Emeka Ugwanyi, encouraged Nigerians to turn their backs on sentiments and agree on a lasting solution that will work for everybody.

He said that the initiative being proposed by the government is projected to create 322,000 direct jobs to benefit Nigerians and will add revenue for the government.

He said, "Cattle colony is the best option for Nigeria now because it's going to house several ranches with all the basic amenities in one place. It will control the arbitrary spread of ranches thus making it easier for good policing.

"The policy will further create about 322,000 direct new jobs across the country and it's estimated to generate over N1.2 trillion as annual revenue for Nigeria.

"Above all, it will permanently stop the open grazing practice thereby halting the farmers and herdsmen conflict.

"It is laughable and a show of ignorance for some people to still be talking about forceful collection of land from the locals for same purpose in any part of Nigeria as no responsible government in the world does that in this age.

"Nigeria should eschew partisanship as well as religious, ethnic, sectional and political sentiments that have unfortunately beclouded our sense of reasoning."

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, 16 states have already expressed interest in being part of the cattle colonies initiative.

The list of states includes: Adamawa, Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Borno, Jigawa, Yobe, Niger, Kogi and Kwara.

Plateau State was the other state reported to be part of the initiative until state governor, Simon Lalong, publicly announced his objection to the plan.

The ministry has implored states to sign up for the initiative because it addresses the needs of cattle herders by providing resources to care for their cattle while avoiding unnecessary conflicts over economic resources between them and farmers.

States who sign up for the initiative are expected to volunteer 5,000 hectares of land each. Source: pulse.ng