Zulum sets up panel to unify Borno farmers/herders’ crisis

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has set up a panel to broker peace in the perennial farmers/herders’ conflict that claimed lives and property in the state. He has also signed the Appropriation Bill of N358.7 billion into law for the 2024 fiscal year.

According to him, the farmers/herders’ conflict over pastures and water points could be resolved through the constitution of a peace committee. Convening the peace committee, yesterday, in Gambouru/Ngala, Zulum disclosed: “Today’s inauguration of the committee was to foster peace and harmony among the warring farmers and pastoralists in the Lake Chad Basin.”

The governor said the committee was to investigate the causes of conflicts between farmers and herders in the state.

“You are to re-establish the defunct cattle routes and identify grazing reserves, which have not been adequately utilised,” he said, adding that the committee’s recommendations would guide the government in addressing the root of the conflict.

The committee led by Tijjani Guzamala, the Special Adviser-designate, comprises representatives of the police, Department of State Services (DSS), Emirate Councils, Miyetti Allah, Alhaya Association and the Governor’s Office. He noted that the peace deal was, however, reached after weeks of tension and uncertainty in the various communities in the basin.

While commending the warring parties, Zulum urged the farmers and herders to shun all acts that could lead to further conflict among them. The governor, therefore, assured that the government would take necessary measures to prevent further clashes between herders and farmers in the state.

Meanwhile, food items were distributed to 11,242 households and N221.7 million disbursed to women and the elderly in the communities.
ZULUM said the budget was increased by N18.1 billion by the House of Assembly over the N340.6 billion he presented on December 13, 2023.

While signing the budget into law, yesterday, in Maiduguri, the governor disclosed: “The 5.3 per cent increase in the budget by the House of Assembly was to complete ongoing capital projects across the state.”

The ‘Budget of Consolidation and Progress’ has capital expenditure of N208.4 billion, while recurrent expenditure stood at N150.4 billion. The governor, therefore, commended the Assembly for the speedy passage of the bill for his assent.

Presenting the bill to the governor for assent, Speaker of the House, Abdulkarim Lawan, said considering the good working relationship with the executive, the 28-member legislature would continue to support the Zulum administration.