By Muhammad Tanimu
Abuja
As part of efforts by the FCT Administration to address the persistent conflicts between crop farmers and pastoralists, FCT Minister of State, Dr. Ramatu Tijjani Aliyu, has flagged off the sensitisation campaign and the distribution of supplementary feeds to pastoralists and farmers in the four grazing reserves of the territory.
The minister who performed the ceremony in Wasa district of FCT said the move by the administration was aimed at promoting integration, peaceful co-existence as well as boost livestock production in the nation’s capital.
Aliyu noted that the present administration under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, was determined to restore the lost glory of the agricultural sector, which had hitherto been somewhat abandoned following the discovery and adoption of oil as the mainstay of the Nigerian economy.
“It is estimated that Nigeria’s population will continue to witness exponential rise and attendant growth in the demand for food. To ensure that any uncertainties related to food security are adequately addressed, the Federal Government of Nigeria made the establishment and development of grazing reserves a key aspect of its Agricultural Promotion Programmes (APP) for the Country, with the livestock subsector playing a prominent role.
“The establishment and development of grazing reserves is therefore aimed at providing pastoralists and crop farmers with an integrated environment under which both can operate optimally, access their needs in a harmonious environment and eliminate issues that could result in conflicts. The overall objective is to promote peaceful coexistence towards harnessingthe huge potentials that exist in the livestock subsector,” Aliyu stressed.
The minister affirmed that in pursuant to this objective, the FCT Administration has been implementing programmes towards creating the enabling environment for the two groups as well as other willing investors to operate and make positive impacts in enhancing food security and socio-economic well-being of the residents.
She used the occasion to reveal that the FCT Administration has also been discussing with investors and development partners on the establishment of value chain ventures in the livestock subsector so as to develop needed infrastructure, create more job opportunities, enhance incomes, and improve lives and livelihoods of communities within and around the FCT’s grazing reserves.
Specifically, she said plans are underway, with the support of the African Development Bank (AfDB), to establish a model Special Agro-industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) on livestock production, in the FCT, stressing that the SAPZ would grant the administration the wherewithal to bring to an end the indiscriminate grazing of animals in the Federal Capital City.
Earlier in his remarks, the FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olusade Adesola, said the FCT Administration has through its relevant agencies as well as other stakeholders been doing its best to bring the parties together to embrace peace especially in grazing reserves where much of the clashes occur.
The Permanent Secretary who was represented by the Director in charge of Operations, Planning and Strategy in the office of the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Samuel Attang, noted that the dry season has been associated with increase in movement of pastiralists in search of feeds for their animals, adding that due to this movement, there might be likelihood of conflict between the two groups.
In his welcome address, the Acting Secretary of FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Mr. Ibe Prospect, stressed the importance of livestock sector in the quest to attain food security, noting that if the sector was well harnessed, it has the capacity to generate jobs and income as well as provide the nutritional value that was required for healthy human development.
He, therefore, commended the FCT Minister of State for demonstrating dynamism in addressing the issue, adding that the incidences of violent conflicts between pastoralists and crop farmers has hindered efforts of government to fully harness the potential of the sector towards achieving the desired objectives.
Minister grants waivers for MSMEs in Abuja
By Muhammad Tanimu
Abuja
As part of non-monetary palliative to cushion the effect of COVID-19, the Minister of FCT, Malam Muhammad Bello, has approved waiver on signage for business interests within the territory.
Malam Bello discloses this at the official flag-off of the bills distribution ceremony and road show organised by the Department of Outdoor Advertisement and Signage (DOAS) of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
The minister who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Adesola Olusade, said the decision became imperative following the economic downturn in the country occasioned by COVID-19 pandemic.
“As part of support for the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises that are needed to catalyse the growth and the development of FCT. We have granted waiver to enterprises that have their signage and billboard on their walls to enable them benefit from some of the concession of government for this period of COVID-19.
“It’s a gesture of government to ensure that non-monetary palliative of COVID-19 gets to everyone. It will enable the beneficiaries plough back the revenue that would have been paid to government into their businesses.”
He also called on the Area Councils to support DOAS effort towards revenue generation, noting that it will serve the interests of all.
“There has been some misunderstanding on the revenue generation effort between the FCT Administration and its Area Council. Some of their agitation are rightly explained. We have explained to them that when we work together, there’ll be greater benefit for all of all. We want them to corporate with the arrangement of DOAS, work with them, then we’ll see the benefits that all of us will have.
“When this efforts is supported much can be accomplished and it will be in the benefit of all. The internally generated revenue of FCT is shared among all tiers of government Inthe territory, so I appeal to them to corporate with these arrangements for the greater growth of everyone.” Bello said
On his part, the DOAS Director, Baba-gana Adam, said although, the new policy has taken over 60per cent of its revenue, but about humanity and recognising that we are under a pandemic and people needs to be supported so that their business can strive.
He also explained that the Administration has extended waiver to Mobile advertisement and large billboards on the streets.
“We have given about 30per cent discount for those with bigger billboards because for the period April, May and June, there was a total lockdown, so when we are billing for the big sign board (third-party), we have deducted a whole quarter.
“As for banks and other key institutions in Abuja, we have also given the 50per cent discount.”