farmer-herder clashes in the country challenge of farmer-herder clashes southeast governors forum enugu state government south east South East Governors Forum Reject FGs NLT Programme National Livestock Transformation

South East Governors Forum Reject FGs NLT Programme

by Arinze Chijioke
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The SouthEast Governors’ Forum has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed National Livestock Transformation plan intended to address the lingering challenge of farmer-herder clashes in the country.

Recall that on Thursday, the federal government approved the sum of N100 billion for the implementation of NLT Plan during the National Economic Council, insisting that it also aims to transform the livestock production system in Nigeria along with market-oriented value while also ensuring an atmosphere of peace and justice.

With this plan, the Federal Government is expected to bear 80 percent of the amount while participating States would support with N20 billion naira and provision of lands for the programme.

Ebonyi State Governor who doubles as Chairman SouthEast Governors Forum, Dave Umahi, said that though the NLT plan is a voluntary programme of the federal government, just like the CBN Anchor Borrowers Scheme, the South East was not ready to key into it giving the controversy and misinterpretation of the whole idea.

His Chief Press Secretary, Emma Uzor who spoke on his behalf explained that the plan will best benefit the North which has a comparative advantage in terms of livestock farming as it will restrict their movement within the North since they can now have access to whatever they need.

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Maintaining that it is not an option for the South East, he said, “we believe that the programme will help solve the long-standing challenge of farmer-herder clashes in the country as they can have access to whatever amount of money they need to run their business”.

On whether it is in line with FGs formerly proposed Ruga Settlement plan, he said it is a different idea because anybody who is interested in going into livestock farming can access the fund and not just the herdsmen.

“If you used to rear Cows before, you can now have piggery as part of the business. It is left for you to know how to do your business without infringing on anybody’s right” he said.

Meanwhile, the Enugu State Government has said it is willing to accept whatever position the forum takes on the FG’s proposed NLT plan as it does not have any position of its own.

When contacted, Simon Otuanya, Secretary to the Enugu State Government said that whatever decision the forum takes is what the States adopt as it is the decision making body of the South East.

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“We do not have our own position on the matter and as such, we are going to abide by whatever position that is agreed upon by the forum provided it is going to be in the best interest of our people,” he said.

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