The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) has rejected the plan to
establish settlements for herdsmen across the country.
Alfred Mulade, PANDEF’s national secretary, made this known
in a statement.
The group accused the federal government of making the
“disturbing decision unilaterally”.
It also alleged that the federal government is disrespecting
the rule of law, saying the power to allocate lands was vested in governors.
PANDEF called on governors of states in the region to reject
the idea, saying “it is capable of undermining the prevailing relative peace
and security in the region.”
“Without any equivocation, PANDEF strongly condemns the
programme and hereby states that there is no land anywhere in the Niger Delta
Region for the establishment of such settlements for herdsmen, “the statement
read.
“It is quite disturbing that in a democracy, the Federal
Government would unilaterally decide the establishment of Ruga settlements or
cattle colonies.
“It is necessary to note that the Land Use Act, enacted in
1978 to regulate land tenure and administration systems, and to ensure
effective and equitable utilization of land and land resources in the country,
vests all urban land within a state in the state governor, and all non-urban
land in the local governments in which they are found.
“This disrespect to the Rule of Law with impunity and
authoritarianism neither fits into the practice of Democracy nor supports Mr
President’s recent recommendation of True Federalism for Nigeria.
“In fact, along with the re-submission of the Inland
Waterways Bill and the approval of a Radio frequency for the establishment of
Radio stations for herdsmen by the Federal Government, there is only one
inescapable conclusion, and that is, Nigeria is towing a catastrophic destiny.”
The group also called on the federal government to do away
with the plan or be ready to meet with resistance.
Governors of Taraba and Benue as well as their counterparts
in the south-east have all kicked against the establishment of settlements for
herdsmen.
The federal government said the initiative is meant to
resolve the farmers-herders crisis.
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com