By Aliyu Gerengi Gombe
The Sub-Committee on the Implementation of the Grazing Reserve White Paper, led by Dr. Ardo Chindo Abubakar, has continued its consultation and assessment tour with visits to the Billiri and Pindiga Emirates in Gombe State.
Speaking during the visit to Billiri, the Chairperson of Billiri Local Government welcomed the committee and assured members of the council’s full support and cooperation in the discharge of their assignment.
The Chairperson appealed to the committee to allow farmers who had already cultivated and were harvesting crops within the affected areas to complete this year’s harvest before full enforcement began.
She suggested that such an arrangement should be subject to the approval of the respective District and Village Heads.
Responding, the Chairman of the committee, Dr. Ardo Chindo Abubakar, alongside the Director of Forestry, Alhaji Musa Suleiman Kumo, described the proposal as a welcome development and assured that the committee would give it due consideration while carrying out its mandate.
Dr. Ardo Chindo noted that the committee had encountered challenges in some parts of the state arising from disputes between farmers and herders.
He, however, pledged that the committee would intensify efforts to ensure the effective and peaceful implementation of the Grazing Reserve White Paper.
During the visit to Pindiga Emirate, the District Head of Garin Galadima, Alhaji Muhammad Kawuwa Ahmad, said traditional institutions were not always informed early enough about emerging issues, a situation he said sometimes allowed disputes to escalate.
He urged residents to continue living peacefully with one another and to support government policies and programmes aimed at promoting development.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Pindiga Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Alhaji Garba Yakubu Walin Pindiga, commended the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for creating an enabling environment and implementing programmes that have improved the living standards of the people.
He assured the committee of the LCDA’s full support and cooperation in its efforts to find lasting solutions to conflicts between farmers and herders.
In his remarks, the District Head of Kolmani, Barrister Muhammad Magaji Ibrahim, stressed the need to enforce the law against individuals who encroach on grazing reserves and forest reserves.
He also called for appropriate sanctions against anyone found illegally selling grazing reserves or cattle routes, saying such measures would help prevent future violations.
The Director of Forestry, Alhaji Musa Suleiman Kumo, warned against illegal tree felling and urged residents to desist from the practice.
He also called on the people of the state to remain law-abiding and continue supporting the administration of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya in its efforts to deliver more dividends of democracy.
The committee said it would continue engaging stakeholders across the state as part of efforts to ensure the successful implementation of the Grazing Reserve White Paper and promote peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders.
