My Administration Is Not Into Land grabbing – Bauchi Governor

From Paul Orude Bauchi

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed , has denied that his administration was into land grabbing enrich to individuals, companies and investors at the detriment of poor farmers.

Mohammed made the remark at the weekend, while seaking as a Special Guest of Honour at the launching of the Irrigate Nigeria Project by the Federal Government in Udubo community, Gamawa Local Government Area of the state .

“Bauchi State has one of the largest land masses in Nigeria with millions of hectares of forest and grazing reserves,” he said.

“Over time some of these forest reserves, established during the colonial era, have been encroached upon and in some cases became hideouts for criminals because they have just been constituted ungoverned spaces.

“That is why it is not a matter of land grapping”

The governor explained that his administration has unlocked the potential of grazing and forest reserves that could be a source of propensity for citizens.

“In response, we took bold and strategic steps, conducted a thorough study of our grazing reserves, game reserves, forest reserves and developed a policy, aimed at optimizing land use for agriculture,” he said.

“While ensuring security of our people and making sure that at least cattle routes and cattle reserves are preserved.

“This led to the creation of the ministry of Livestock Development in line with the commendable example set by the federal government.

“We are continuing with the ministry of agriculture , Livestock, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, , Commerce and investment as well as the legislature, Local Government Chairman be recognised and reallocate certain parts of the forest reserves for productive agricultural use”

The governor called on investors to come to Bauchi State and invest in agriculture.

“We have more lands to give and giving will bring prosperity for us and I have seen it in Tiamen rice and for others that we have allocated land to,” he said.

“At the same we have clearly marked and restricted cattle routes, created dedicated reserves and created livelihoods to support programmes for livestock farmers to discourage nomadism and provide more than livestock businesses.

“These policies are already yield positive results , such as more people are now engaged in commercial agriculture , including our traditional rulers and civil servants , Conflict between herders and farmers are reducing due to improved land use planning , investors are gaining confidence to participate in agriculture in Bauchi”