REACTIONS TRAIL THE NGRC BILL
This is akin to Apartheird policy in South Africa and the Janjaweedization police of Albashir of Sudan.
In simple parlance,it is tantamount to a land grab.
We will resist it..........Stakeholders cry out.
FULL STORY...........
While Nigerians are still groaning under the pains of the fuel scarcity that seems to defy solutions from government, the National Assembly seems more focused on promoting a "Bill" for the emergence of a "National Grazing Reserve Commission, NGRC".
NaijNewsAlert observes with anguish, the lack of concern of the government in taking into considerations, the already tense relationship between herdsmen and farmers which has resulted in the huge loss of lives and properties.
Nigerians, as concerned as they are, clamour for information relating to the contents of the "NGRC Bill" which has already scaled 2nd Reading in the National Assembly.
Is the Federal Government that insensitive that it would not call for inputs from stakeholders?
NAIJ NEWS ALERT spoke to some section of the public and their cries seems to bother on the insensitivity of whosoever was the initiator of the controversial NGRC Bill.
Mikael James, a native of Benue state is of the strong belief that, following the escapades of armed militias under the guise of fulani herdsmen that have attacked several villages and communities in his home state, sponsoring of such a Bill in the National Assembly without inputs from all stakeholders is tantamount to giving legitimacy to the affront of the fulani herdsmen who have killed so many men, women and children especially in Agatu kingdom of Benue state.
"This is akin to the Apartheid policy in South Africa and the Janjaweedization police of Albashir of Sudan. In simple parlance,it is tantamount to a land grab. We will resist it", he cried out.
In the Southern Kaduna axis of Kaduna state, where there have been continuous clashes between farmers, residents and the fulani herdsmen, the situation is no different from that of Benue state.
According to Kefas Adamu who is a resident of Zango kataf, the activities of these marauding fulani herdsmen needs to be checked before it blossoms into a conflagration.
"Who is arming these fulani herdsmen with such sophisticated weapons such as AK47's that is being used to perpetrate these crimes? Until these persons behind all these armed attacks are unveiled, the authorities have a challenging task up their sleeves as it is their duty to protect lives and properties of the citizenry", he lamented.
Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-cultural group recently added its voice to the call for greater sensitization of the NGRC Bill while calling for the government not to allow this contentious bill be passed.
Naij News Alert recalls that, on two occasions, an elder statesman; Pa Olu Falae was allegedly kidnapped while on his farm by suspected fulani herdsmen and was released after some days in captivity. While reports have it that ransom was paid before his release by his abductors, many have asked what would have been the fate of the old man had that ransom not been paid.
To worsen the situation, a security guard working on Chief Falae's farm, was recently killed by suspected herdsmen.
This therefore brings to mind, the contentious bill before the National Assembly. what are its contents and how does this put under checks, the continuous attacks?
Some media reports have it that the Commission when inaugurated, would have "the powers to takeover lands and pay compensation, as it deems fit, to owners of such lands". Again, it is rumoured that "the Commission" when inaugurated "cannot be sued except with the tacit approval of the Attorney General of the Federation".
In the South-south region of the country where clashes have also lead to deaths, youths in this region are already calling on their elected representatives in the NASS to explain the contents of the provocative bill.
A youth leader in Enugu state who spoke under the condition of anonymity to NAIJ NEWS ALERT, disclosed that it is completely unacceptable to them as youths that somebody would just wake up and ask them to vacate their lands without adequate recompense as deemed fit by them.
Ogbevire Oghenebrume, speaking under the aegis of concerned Delta Youths warned against the imposition of such a bill on nigerians without recourse to the people involved.
"Our farms, as expected, would be snatched from us and make us begin to beg for food. How do you make a man a beggar in his own land? We have chosen to fend for ourselves and not wait for government for the jobs they promised us which is like a mirage to us and now, somebody wants to use the name of government to throw us into slavery".
"It is not fair but if the contents of the bill can be made known, we are strongly against it and we shall follow every legal means acceptable to seek redress", Ogbevire stated
These and many more, begs for clarifications from the sponsors of the already provocative bill. Who provides answers to these questions?
In simple parlance,it is tantamount to a land grab.
We will resist it..........Stakeholders cry out.
FULL STORY...........
While Nigerians are still groaning under the pains of the fuel scarcity that seems to defy solutions from government, the National Assembly seems more focused on promoting a "Bill" for the emergence of a "National Grazing Reserve Commission, NGRC".
NaijNewsAlert observes with anguish, the lack of concern of the government in taking into considerations, the already tense relationship between herdsmen and farmers which has resulted in the huge loss of lives and properties.
Nigerians, as concerned as they are, clamour for information relating to the contents of the "NGRC Bill" which has already scaled 2nd Reading in the National Assembly.
Is the Federal Government that insensitive that it would not call for inputs from stakeholders?
NAIJ NEWS ALERT spoke to some section of the public and their cries seems to bother on the insensitivity of whosoever was the initiator of the controversial NGRC Bill.
Mikael James, a native of Benue state is of the strong belief that, following the escapades of armed militias under the guise of fulani herdsmen that have attacked several villages and communities in his home state, sponsoring of such a Bill in the National Assembly without inputs from all stakeholders is tantamount to giving legitimacy to the affront of the fulani herdsmen who have killed so many men, women and children especially in Agatu kingdom of Benue state.
"This is akin to the Apartheid policy in South Africa and the Janjaweedization police of Albashir of Sudan. In simple parlance,it is tantamount to a land grab. We will resist it", he cried out.
In the Southern Kaduna axis of Kaduna state, where there have been continuous clashes between farmers, residents and the fulani herdsmen, the situation is no different from that of Benue state.
According to Kefas Adamu who is a resident of Zango kataf, the activities of these marauding fulani herdsmen needs to be checked before it blossoms into a conflagration.
"Who is arming these fulani herdsmen with such sophisticated weapons such as AK47's that is being used to perpetrate these crimes? Until these persons behind all these armed attacks are unveiled, the authorities have a challenging task up their sleeves as it is their duty to protect lives and properties of the citizenry", he lamented.
Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-cultural group recently added its voice to the call for greater sensitization of the NGRC Bill while calling for the government not to allow this contentious bill be passed.
Naij News Alert recalls that, on two occasions, an elder statesman; Pa Olu Falae was allegedly kidnapped while on his farm by suspected fulani herdsmen and was released after some days in captivity. While reports have it that ransom was paid before his release by his abductors, many have asked what would have been the fate of the old man had that ransom not been paid.
To worsen the situation, a security guard working on Chief Falae's farm, was recently killed by suspected herdsmen.
This therefore brings to mind, the contentious bill before the National Assembly. what are its contents and how does this put under checks, the continuous attacks?
Some media reports have it that the Commission when inaugurated, would have "the powers to takeover lands and pay compensation, as it deems fit, to owners of such lands". Again, it is rumoured that "the Commission" when inaugurated "cannot be sued except with the tacit approval of the Attorney General of the Federation".
In the South-south region of the country where clashes have also lead to deaths, youths in this region are already calling on their elected representatives in the NASS to explain the contents of the provocative bill.
A youth leader in Enugu state who spoke under the condition of anonymity to NAIJ NEWS ALERT, disclosed that it is completely unacceptable to them as youths that somebody would just wake up and ask them to vacate their lands without adequate recompense as deemed fit by them.
Ogbevire Oghenebrume, speaking under the aegis of concerned Delta Youths warned against the imposition of such a bill on nigerians without recourse to the people involved.
"Our farms, as expected, would be snatched from us and make us begin to beg for food. How do you make a man a beggar in his own land? We have chosen to fend for ourselves and not wait for government for the jobs they promised us which is like a mirage to us and now, somebody wants to use the name of government to throw us into slavery".
"It is not fair but if the contents of the bill can be made known, we are strongly against it and we shall follow every legal means acceptable to seek redress", Ogbevire stated
These and many more, begs for clarifications from the sponsors of the already provocative bill. Who provides answers to these questions?
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