Rabiu Kwankwaso Explains Why He Sponsored The “Controversial” Grazing Agency Bill

The immediate past Governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso (APC, Kano Central), has assured that the Grazing Areas Management Agency (establishment) Bill 2016 sponsored by him would end clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the country.

The bill, which borders on the establishment of grazing agency, passed through first reading in the Senate some three weeks ago.

Kwankwaso, in an explanatory memorandum on the bill obtained by Daily Trust Newspaper, expressed optimism that the bill would also boost the capacity of farmers to have increased food production and safe rearing of animals.

“This bill seeks to establish Grazing Areas Management Agency to manage demarcated national, state and local grazing areas, routes and livestock ranching reserves in states that require it, which will facilitate peaceful co-existence between nomadic pastoralists and agriculturalists, thereby enhancing farmer’s capacity to have increased food production and safe rearing of animals,” he said.

The lawmaker explained that the bill further seeks to create a mechanism for prevention of crisis by setting up standing mediation committees in states and local government areas where the grazing areas, routes and ranches are located, which would be saddled with the responsibility of mediating between feuding parties.