Delta State Government has called for harmonious relations between farmers and herders to enhance food security and sustainable development of the state.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Livestock and Inter-ethnic Relations, Chief Jeffrey Azagba, made the call in his remarks at a one-day conference with the theme: “Promoting Harmonious Relationships Between Farmers and Herdsmen for Sustainable Development of Delta State”, held at Government House, Asaba on Friday.
He said Delta State with its rich agricultural land and vast water resources, had the potentials to be a leading producer of food and economic growth, but that this was often hindered by conflicts between farmers and herders.
The Special Adviser stated that the meeting was coming at a time when the nation was grappling with the challenges of food security, economic growth and environmental sustainability, noting that the conflicts, often fuelled by competition for land, water, and resources had led to loss of lives, destruction of property and displacement of communities.
He said farmers and herdsmen were not supposed to be enemies but partners in the pursuit of food security and sustainable development, and
called for the establishment of farmers-herdsmen dialogue forum to facilitate regular meetings and negotiations between both groups.
Speaking at the meeting, the Special Adviser on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor, frowned at the activities of armed herdsmen and recommended that anti-grazing laws be enforced in addition to the establishment of ranches.
Chief Uzor advocated total disarmament of all arm bearing herders, arrest of under age herders, total retooling of Operation Delta Sweep to stamp out the activities of criminally minded herdsmen, establishment of task forces to man entry points to the state, profiling of herdsmen and identification of dens of armed herdsmen.
He sued for peace between genuine herdsmen and host communities to strengthen peaceful coexistence.
In a paper delivered at the event, Professor Daniel Nte Ngboaraji affirmed that the best way to minimise herders and farmers crisis was to identify real herders from criminally minded ones so as to hand the bad ones over to security operatives.
He advised herders to keep at bay anything capable of jeopardising peace and reminded host communities of the need to operate within the confines of the law.
The conference was attended by representatives of the State Commissioner of Police, Department of State Service (DSS), Presidents-General of Kingdoms, Clans and Communities, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association and other stakeholders.
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