Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has said that the herdsmen would pay for the proposed establishment of ranches or grazing reserves by the federal government.
He disclosed this on Thursday at the opening ceremony of a two-day summit on national security organised by the Senate in Abuja.
Osinbajo further dispelled the speculations that the federal government would seize land from the state government for the establishment of the grazing reserves.
He said, “Let me reiterate that on no account will any land be seized or forcefully taken to create ranches or grazing areas. All insinuations to that effect should be disregarded. No one is giving land to herdsmen, as is being falsely alleged.
“Instead, it is in our view that states that are willing and have set aside land for development should cooperate with willing investors in commercially-viable, government-supported ranches or livestock production centres for commercial use.”
He added, “There is also a clear sense which I think must be appreciated, that the Federal Government cannot dictate to states what to do with their land. This is so because the Land Use Act of 1978 puts land under the control of governors on behalf of their states.
“Also, the Supreme Court in the case of the Attorney General of Lagos State versus the Attorney General of the Federation in 2004, held that the use of land resources and permits for such use lie firmly in the hands of state governments. Even for use of federal lands in the states according to the Supreme Court, building or development control permit must be sought from the governors of the states.”
Osinbajo noted that some states, especially in the North, had duly gazetted grazing reserves and most of the grazing reserves are degraded and without pasture or water, especially during the dry season.
He said that apart from states that had gazetted grazing areas, 13 states had agreed to allocate 5,000 hectares of land for ranching or livestock production.
He said for optimal operation of the grazing reserves , they should be operated as ranches or livestock production centres on a commercial basis.
Osinbajo said, “The ranches will have adequate water from boreholes, salt points and pasture. The locations would serve both as forage points and centres for providing extension services to boost animal care, feeding and veterinary facilities, and even abattoirs. Because the ranches are commercial ventures, cattle owners will pay for their use.
“It is important to note that by and large, in consultation with stakeholders, all agree that where adequate provision is made on a commercial basis, there is no reason why there won’t be cooperation to use those ranches because there are both economic and social benefits for everyone, including herders.”
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