- PANDEF said it would not support establishment of cattle colonies in Niger Delta
- It however suggested that cattle colonies be established in Sambisa forest
- The group called on the Niger Delta to be united
The Pan Niger Delta Forum had told the federal government to go and establish colonies inside Sambisa which the Nigerian army has recovered from Boko Haram terrorists.
Vanguard reports that the Akwa Ibom state chapter of the group said it would not allow the establishment of cattle colonies in the Niger Delta but suggested that it be established in Sambisa forest.
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In a communique signed by by Senator Anietie Okon, Senator Ibok Essien, Nduenso Essien, Dr. Effiong Edunam and Prof. Brenda Akpan, PANDEF said the recovered territories in Sambisa were big enough to accommodate all the cattle in the country.
It called on the government “to listen to the voices of Nigerians on restructuring the country which it said would put an end to the myriads of problems facing the country, including the incessant killings of citizens by herdsmen.”
The forum expressed concern “over the upgrading of the Maritime Academic by the Federal Government” and urged it to “expedite action on upgrading the institution to a full-fledge University of Maritime Studies as approved by the previous administration.”
It expressed support for Governor Udom Emmanuel’s call for increased allocation to the state and full implementation of the 13 per cent derivation
The forum said the Niger Delta region had decided to pursue a common interest as “United we stand and divided we fall may be very old but still very relevant. If we must succeed, we have to come together and speak with one voice.”
Meanwhile, the Bayelsa government on Wednesday, January 24, said it established a grazing site for cattle rather than colony at its Palm Estate in Yenagoa to check clashes between farmers and herdsmen, NAN reports.
Dode Wigg, the state's commissioner for agriculture, disclosed this at an interactive session with stakeholders as part of activities to mark the sixth anniversary of the Governor Seriake Dickson-led administration.
NAIJ.com gathers that the commissioner said that the state adopted the ranch option and made available 250 acres of land cultivated with fodder grass to discourage open grazing.
He said that the ranch concept within the Bayelsa Palm Estate would ensure that the droppings from the cattle would provide natural fertiliser for the palm trees, adding that the state government retained whole ownership of the estate.
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Source: Naija.ng
ROSY CREST
Thursday, 25 January 2018