In a bid to control indiscriminate grazing and violent clashes between farmers and herdsmen, the Bayelsa State Government has donated 1,200 hectares of land to cattle herdsmen, for grazing cattle in the state.

The State Government had in December 2016 announced the restriction of the activities of herdsmen in the state to the Bayelsa Palm area in Yenagoa.

According to the government, its decision was to prevent the invasion of farmlands and check any security breaches.

Chairman, Cattle Ranches Management and Control Committee, Mr. Shitu Mohammed, said at a news conference in Yenagoa on Sunday that the 1,200 hectares of land was for ranch development, grazing and slaughtering of cattle.

During the interactive session which comprised stakeholders such as the herdsmen, butchers, farmers and security agencies, Mohammed said more ranches would be donated to the cattle rearers in the state.

Mohammed, who commended Governor Dickson and the Bayelsa government for releasing the land, said the gesture would help to sustain the lasting peace that had existed between herdsmen and farmers in the state.

He noted that the committee was set up by the state government to foster cordial relationship between cattle rearers, farmers and the people of Bayelsa.

Mohammed further noted that there were no cases of violence by the herdsmen in Bayelsa, rationalising that the committee in collaboration with the state government and security agencies had put in place quick response mechanisms.

He called on Bayelsa people to see the provision of the ranch by the state government as a welcome development, saying that the development would create job opportunities for the people and enhance tourism development.

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