The Federal Government has given the sum of N6.25 billion to Katsina State government for “ranch development projects”.
The Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari, confirmed on Monday that the state has received the money while delivering a lecture on governance, security and sustainable development in Africa, at the National Institute of Security Studies, in Abuja.
The project is intended to check clashes between farmers and herders which have snowballed into banditry in states across Nigeria’s North-west and North-central regions.
Masari said the project involves the construction of feeder roads, slaughterhouses, solar-powered boreholes and police stations on ranches; including rehabilitation of existing infrastructure such as dams, schools, dispensaries, veterinary clinics, stock routes and pasture development.
“Distinguished participants, let me confirm to you that the N6.25 billion promised to Katsina State government by President Muhammadu Buhari for the Ranch Development Project is now in the state government account,” said the governor.
He added that states launched the project and called on the Federal Government for help.
Masari said phase one of the project will cover about 7000 hectares of grazing land out of the 122,000 hectares at the Rugu forest.
“Also, the 10 frontline local government areas that are vulnerable to banditry and farmers/herders clashes earmarked for this intervention are Jibiya, Batsari, Kurfi, Dutsinma, Safana, Danmusa, Kankara, Faskari, Sabuwa and Dandume.
“This is based on the fact that the challenges we are facing are community-based that require community-based solutions to ensure sustainable development.
“The chunk of times, resources and energy consumed by the efforts in tackling the monumental crimes in the society could have been channeled elsewhere to properly be felt by the generality of the citizens.
“However, due to the importance of protecting the lives and properties of all citizens, the government will continue to spend much to degrade and decimate the growth of criminals and criminalities across the state.