Dickson Moves For Establishment Of Modern Ranches Across Nigeria

Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has moved for the Senate Committees on National Security and Intelligence, Agriculture and National Livestock Affairs for the establishment of modern ranches in various states across the country.

The senator made this known through his official facebook handle, called on the senate committees to interface with the executive to provide a comprehensive proposal to establish modern ranches in consultation with state governors, council chairmen and other interests.

Senator Dickson said the modern ranches should have all amenities such as, security stations, markets, veterinary offices and abattoirs, where herders can undertake modern animal husbandry as a major business that generates income.

He said modern ranching was what he did as then Governor of Bayelsa State over ten years ago, adding that he did it at a time when it was fashionable for governors to pander to local sentiments where some governors even forbade herdsmen from entering their states.

Dickson who is also a member of the Senate Committee on National Security, said he is happy that the move was unanimously adopted by the Senate, as it will address so many challenges between farmers and herdsmen across the country.

He added that the establishment of modern ranches in various states will halt the incessant and avoidable clashes between farmers and herdsmen leading to the loss of lives and properties in various parts of the country.

The statement read in parts: “At today’s plenary, I moved for the Senate to mandate the committees on National Security and Intelligence, Agriculture, and the new committee on National Livestock Affairs to interface with the Executive, and provide a comprehensive proposal for the establishment of modern ranches in various states across the country, in consultation with the state governors, chairmen of council and corporate interests.

“These ranches should have all amenities such as: security stations, markets, veterinary offices and abattoirs,
where herders can undertake modern animal husbandry as a major business.

“This was what I did as then Governor of Bayelsa over 10 years ago, at a time when it was fashionable for governors to pander to local sentiments where some even forbade herdsmen from entering their states.

“I took the view then as I do now that this is unconstitutional in our country, and we ought to be talking about modernizing the practice as a necessity.

“We ought to support ranching as a business which it is, and insist on law enforcement which will stop criminality and brigandage on the part of anyone, including the herders.

“I am happy that this move was unanimously adopted by the Senate, and as a member also of the Committee on National Security and Intelligence, I look forward to this, so we can halt the incessant and avoidable clashes leading to loss of lives and properties in the country which has gone wrong for too long.

“I am also of the view that while these clashes have resulted in losses, the herdsmen themselves who have been condemned to a life of trekking, living in the forests and exposed to all kinds of hazards while playing their role in the economy without any government support, are also victims of Nigeria’s lack of visionary and effective governance.

“These are matters, I believe the new ministry of livestock affairs, working in conjunction with others should be able to address being backed by the Federal Government.