Buhari Okays Review Of Grazing Reserves In 25 States

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday gave a go ahead for the
immediate review of Grazing Reserves in 25 out of the 36 states of
the federation.

This, he said, was in line with the recommendations of a
committee earlier in the year to review “with dispatch,” 368
grazing sites, across 25 states in the country, “to determine the
levels of encroachment.”

A release by the President’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, stated that
President Buhari’s directive followed his approval of the
recommendations of a committee chaired by his Chief of Staff, Prof.
Ibrahim Gambari.

Among others, the committee had recommended the collection of
field data on 368 Grazing Reserves across 25 states to assess
encroachment and encroachers, stakeholder engagements and
sensitization.

The Committee also recommended production of maps and
geo-mapping/tagging of sites, analysis of findings and report
preparations as well as design appropriate communication on Grazing
Reserves and operations.

The number of the Grazing Reserves and States were deduced from
considerations of existing security concerns and other pre-existing
socio-economic conditions.

The President directed that the assignment be undertaken with
dispatch to bring more understanding on the Grazing Reserves, and
implementation.

Members of the Committee include, Governor of Kebbi State and
Vice Chairman, National Food Security Council, Abubakar Atiku
Bagudu; Governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman of NEC Sub-Committee
for National Livestock Transformation Plan, David Umahi; Minister
of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu; Minister of Agriculture and
Rural Development, Sabo Nanono; Minister of Environment, Dr.
Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar; and Deputy Chief of Staff, Ade
Ipaye.

The Technical Sub-Committee consisted of representatives from
the seven members of the main committee in addition to
representatives from Ministry of Justice, Surveyor General of the
Federation, National Agricultural Land Development Authority
(NALDA) and National Space Research Development Agency
(NASRDA).

The Terms of Reference of the Committee, which held its
inaugural meeting on May 10, 2021, include to collate from states
and confirm the status of all Grazing Reserves, assess the
percentage of available land and those with existing encroachment
complications for case-by-case resolution in partnership with state
governments and the FCT.

The Committee was also expected to make recommendations for
gazetting of ungazetted Grazing Reserves and create a data base of
National Cattle Herders and ensure that Grazing Reserves were well
communicated to all stakeholders.

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday gave a go ahead for the
immediate review of Grazing Reserves in 25 out of the 36 states of
the federation.

This, he said, was in line with the recommendations of a
committee earlier in the year to review “with dispatch,” 368
grazing sites, across 25 states in the country, “to determine the
levels of encroachment.”

A release by the President’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, stated that
President Buhari’s directive followed his approval of the
recommendations of a committee chaired by his Chief of Staff, Prof.
Ibrahim Gambari.

Among others, the committee had recommended the collection of
field data on 368 Grazing Reserves across 25 states to assess
encroachment and encroachers, stakeholder engagements and
sensitization.

The Committee also recommended production of maps and
geo-mapping/tagging of sites, analysis of findings and report
preparations as well as design appropriate communication on Grazing
Reserves and operations.

The number of the Grazing Reserves and States were deduced from
considerations of existing security concerns and other pre-existing
socio-economic conditions.

The President directed that the assignment be undertaken with
dispatch to bring more understanding on the Grazing Reserves, and
implementation.

Members of the Committee include, Governor of Kebbi State and
Vice Chairman, National Food Security Council, Abubakar Atiku
Bagudu; Governor of Ebonyi State and Chairman of NEC Sub-Committee
for National Livestock Transformation Plan, David Umahi; Minister
of Water Resources, Suleiman Adamu; Minister of Agriculture and
Rural Development, Sabo Nanono; Minister of Environment, Dr.
Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar; and Deputy Chief of Staff, Ade
Ipaye.

The Technical Sub-Committee consisted of representatives from
the seven members of the main committee in addition to
representatives from Ministry of Justice, Surveyor General of the
Federation, National Agricultural Land Development Authority
(NALDA) and National Space Research Development Agency
(NASRDA).

The Terms of Reference of the Committee, which held its
inaugural meeting on May 10, 2021, include to collate from states
and confirm the status of all Grazing Reserves, assess the
percentage of available land and those with existing encroachment
complications for case-by-case resolution in partnership with state
governments and the FCT.

The Committee was also expected to make recommendations for
gazetting of ungazetted Grazing Reserves and create a data base of
National Cattle Herders and ensure that Grazing Reserves were well
communicated to all stakeholders.