From Lawal Sa’idu Funtua, Katsina
The Katsina State Government has urged traditional leaders in the state to intensify efforts toward preventing people from encroaching cattle routes in their domain to avert farmers and herdsmen clashes.
Gov Aminu Masari made the call yesterday in Jibiya at the flag off of the re-demarcation of cattle routes in the state.
Masari, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the State, Alhaji Mustapha Inuwa, said that farmers and herdsmen clash and cattle rustling were as a result encroachment of cattle routes.
He said the government has realized that without such cattle routes, there would be no peace, hence the decision to re-demarcate the cattle routes for peaceful coexistence.
Masari urged religious leaders to preach to people on the dangers associated with encroaching cattle routes, which was the backbone of the farmers/herdsmen problem in many parts of the country.
He called on the people affected by the exercise to cooperate and support the committee to discharge its duties effectively.
The governor added that the government has constructed 10 primary schools and 10 health care centers for the repentant cattle rustlers as part of efforts to improve their living condition.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the State Standing Committee on Improvement of Farmers and Herdsmen Relationship, Alhaji Abdulaziz Lawal, said that 7,240 beacons would be re-erected across 905 kilometers in eight Local Government Areas in the state.
He listed the local governments to include Ingawa, Jibiya, Batsari, Safana, Danmusa, Baure, Faskari, Kafur and Zango.
Lawal further said that the state government would spend N47 million on the project, which would last for 6 weeks.
According to him, the project would cover both the primary, secondary and international cattle routes that cross some parts of the state.
He revealed that the exercise was aimed at ensuring smooth passage of pastoralists which would assist in preventing clashes between famers and herdsmen.
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