Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has decried the state’s involvement in the current farmer-herder conflict and their inability to curtail recurrent clashes.
Mr Abbas made the statement on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ meeting of the House of Representatives Committee on Environment, which was held to discuss the impact of climate change on farmer-herder conflicts.
Mr Abbas, represented by Dicsok Teke, chastised governments for failing to pass ranching-friendly legislation, prolonging outmoded cattle-rearing practices.
He emphasized the tragic consequences of this inactivity, such as families abandoning their homes and extreme food insecurity.
Mr Abbas underlined the importance of addressing climate change, which has caused desertification and prompted farmers and herders to seek better pastures.
He urged the government to use advanced farming techniques to combat food insecurity.
The speaker advocated for a shift from nomadic to ranching, citing a lack of political will and laws as major barriers.
He encouraged the state and federal governments to contribute resources and pass legislation to address the farmer-herder crisis.
Sen. Gorge Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, as represented by Prof. Bolaji Babatunde, underlined Nigeria’s duty to prepare for climate change.
He promised to work with lawmakers to engage stakeholders and address farmer-herder disputes.
The Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Terseer Ugbor, stated that Benue State had been severely hit, with over three million people displaced as a result of farmer-herder violence while stressing that steps were being taken to settle the situation in Benue and across the country.