The Nigerian Senate has adopted Senator Henry Seriake Dickson’s proposal to establish ranches nationwide to resolve the perennial clashes between herders and farmers.
Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West in the Red Chamber, emphasized that animal husbandry is a legitimate business requiring well-structured policies.
The senator urged the federal government to provide funding for livestock businesses, citing the economic struggles of herdsmen trekking across states. He advocated for modern, commercially viable, and safe ranches, to be established in collaboration with states, local governments, and private businesses.
He said, “Animal husbandry is a legal business. Maybe we should use the opportunity of this motion, because we deal with this every time. We should use this opportunity to order the committee, especially now that the president has established a ministry to deal with livestock issues.
“Let us mandate them to interact with the executive and come up with a proposal for nationwide ranching as a legal business.
“The federal government has to intervene and provide funding because these herdsmen are actually victims of the economic situation as well, carrying cattle from Sokoto State and trekking to Bayelsa, Lagos, and other states.
“The Senate Committee on National Security and the Senate Committee on Agriculture should interface with the executive arm, the newly established Ministry of Livestock and the Ministry of Agriculture, and come up with a proposal for the Senate to look at the establishment of ranches, modern ranches that are commercially viable and safe both for the herders and also for the locals across the country.”
Dickson said his belief in ranching as a solution dates back to his policy 10 years ago as Bayelsa State Governor. According to him, in Bayelsa, herdsmen were assigned a secure location with amenities, and stern measures were taken against illegal weapon-bearing.
“There was water, an abattoir, veterinary services, a cattle market, and grasses for the animals. Bayelsa then announced stern measures against the illegal bearing of weapons by anyone,” he added.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that Senator Anthony Yaro had moved the motion following attacks in Gombe State. Senators Abdul Ningi, Titus Zam, and Adams Oshiomhole contributed, emphasizing the need for long-term solutions, effective security votes, and regulated movement of people and cattle.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio put Dickson’s proposal to a vote, which was carried without opposition.
