ENDING OPEN GRAZING IN FCT: FCTA INAUGURATES HIGH-LEVEL COMMITTEE TO DRIVE GRAZING RESERVE DEVELOPMENT
By: Zakari Aliyu
As part of efforts to implement the presidential directives aimed at ending open grazing and transforming the livestock sector, the Mandate Secretary of the Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Comrade Abdullahi Suleiman Ango, has inaugurated a high-level implementation committee for the development of grazing reserves across the territory.
In his inaugural address, Comrade Ango who also chairs the Committee which comprises representatives from the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, relevant Secretariats, Departments and Agencies (SDAs) of the FCTA, traditional institutions and officials of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), underscored the significance of the committee’s assignment, stressing its pivotal role in eliminating open grazing and the security challenges that are associated with the practice
“This initiative presents us with a golden opportunity to not only bring to an end, open grazing and its associated risks but also for the government to provide critical infrastructure at the four designated grazing reserves in the FCT located atPaikon Kore, Karshi, Rubochi, and Kawucommunities,” Comrade Ango declared.
He noted that the committee’s multisectoral composition was strategic, with members selected based on their offices’ statutory responsibilities to ensure comprehensive insights and actionable recommendations. He charged all members to demonstrate utmost commitment to the assignment.
Addressing the committee, Dr. Saleh B. Momale, Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, emphasized the national significance of the grazing development initiative. He disclosed that the programme is a flagship national project, with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) selected to serve as the pilot zone.
During robust deliberations, committee members pledged their dedication and emphasized the need for a holistic approach. They identified key priority areas such as securing formal land titles for the reserves, conducting a comprehensive assessment of existing facilities and infrastructure gaps, and developing strategies to enhance the socio-economic livelihoods of host communities.
To guide its work, the committee was assigned the following Terms of Reference (ToR):
1. Conduct a comprehensive review of the current situation at the grazing reserves
2. Assess the existing policy and legal framework governing livestock and land use
3. Map key stakeholders and develop engagement strategies
4. Determine resource and infrastructure requirements for each reserve
5. Develop conflict mitigation and security measures to ensure peaceful operations
6. Evaluate environmental and sustainability considerations
7. Create a realistic timeline and an actionable implementation plan
8. Establish a framework for monitoring, evaluation, and reporting
9. Develop a robust funding and budget proposal to support long-term success
As an immediate first step, the committee agreed to undertake a fact-finding visit to all four reserve locations to gather firsthand information. Similarly, to ensure seamless coordination of committee activities, the Chairman announced the appointment of Mr. Umar Haruna, Acting Director of Planning, Research and Statistics in the Agriculture Secretariat, as Secretary of the Committee.
