Land dispute behind Taraba crisis, says governor

Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku has said the crisis in the
Mambilla was neither religious nor ethnic, but land
dispute-induced.

He reiterated that there is no alternative to ranching as a
solution to the crisis of confidence between herdsmen and
farmers.

Ishaku spoke at an interactive session with reporters in
Abuja.

His words: “The recent crisis in the Mambilla was all about
land; it was not ethnic or religious. The 3 per cent population of
the Fulani on the Mambilla owned practically all the land. While
this is not their fault, the 90 per cent Mambilla are left
scrounging for land. This was the basis for the conflict, much like
in some parts of the Southeast.

“The challenge would be to solve the land ownership problem
which the government is looking into. People with claims over land
would have to prove it. I can assure you that there is no plan to
forcefully take land away from owners, but justice must be
done.

“If there is a better option to good cow production, or a better
method to stop cows from rampaging and causing the destruction,
please let us know. But for now, and I think all over the thinking
world, ranching is what you find”.

The governor denied allegation of taking sides in the
crisis.

“As a father to all, I do not discriminate. My philosophy is to
equate one life with others. Perhaps, I’m the only one who knows
how deeply hurt I feel when I hear of the death of any Taraba
citizen due to crisis or for any other reason.

“Of the things my people look up to me for, the preservation of
their life and property is number one. If I fail in this, I’ve
failed totally. That’s why I said I will give my life; I would
rather be sacrificed than any Taraba person, no matter the tribe,
religion or status. I would not sleep until there is peace
everywhere,” Ishaku added.

Ishaku, who assured the reporters of openness and cooperation,
said he has ensured the digitisation project of the state-owned
television and radio stations.

He said: “I consider myself a friend of the media and have
always sought ways to ensure a better relationship. Back in our
state, we are actively pursuing the digitisation of our television
and radio outfits.

“We now have 17 hours of television, and the radio is also
enhanced because we have phased out obsolete equipment. We believe
someday we can have 24 hours TV. We have a newspaper, the Sunrise
newspaper, that has now relapsed but we are working to revive
it.

“What we did was to take their over 80 workers and subsumed them
into other ministries for their salaries. When we are done
digitising, we shall go back to the paper.”

Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku has said the crisis in the
Mambilla was neither religious nor ethnic, but land
dispute-induced.

He reiterated that there is no alternative to ranching as a
solution to the crisis of confidence between herdsmen and
farmers.

Ishaku spoke at an interactive session with reporters in
Abuja.

His words: “The recent crisis in the Mambilla was all about
land; it was not ethnic or religious. The 3 per cent population of
the Fulani on the Mambilla owned practically all the land. While
this is not their fault, the 90 per cent Mambilla are left
scrounging for land. This was the basis for the conflict, much like
in some parts of the Southeast.

“The challenge would be to solve the land ownership problem
which the government is looking into. People with claims over land
would have to prove it. I can assure you that there is no plan to
forcefully take land away from owners, but justice must be
done.

“If there is a better option to good cow production, or a better
method to stop cows from rampaging and causing the destruction,
please let us know. But for now, and I think all over the thinking
world, ranching is what you find”.

The governor denied allegation of taking sides in the
crisis.

“As a father to all, I do not discriminate. My philosophy is to
equate one life with others. Perhaps, I’m the only one who knows
how deeply hurt I feel when I hear of the death of any Taraba
citizen due to crisis or for any other reason.

“Of the things my people look up to me for, the preservation of
their life and property is number one. If I fail in this, I’ve
failed totally. That’s why I said I will give my life; I would
rather be sacrificed than any Taraba person, no matter the tribe,
religion or status. I would not sleep until there is peace
everywhere,” Ishaku added.

Ishaku, who assured the reporters of openness and cooperation,
said he has ensured the digitisation project of the state-owned
television and radio stations.

He said: “I consider myself a friend of the media and have
always sought ways to ensure a better relationship. Back in our
state, we are actively pursuing the digitisation of our television
and radio outfits.

“We now have 17 hours of television, and the radio is also
enhanced because we have phased out obsolete equipment. We believe
someday we can have 24 hours TV. We have a newspaper, the Sunrise
newspaper, that has now relapsed but we are working to revive
it.

“What we did was to take their over 80 workers and subsumed them
into other ministries for their salaries. When we are done
digitising, we shall go back to the paper.”