By; SAMSON YAKI, LAFIA.
The Tiv Development Association (TIDA) in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State has opposed the proposed paddock and pasture at Atandura community and any other Tiv settlement plan to be forcefully handed over as grazing reserve.
The Plateau State chapter spokesperson, Comrade Barnabas M. Zayol in a communique made available to the press revealed that the community expressed dismay over the alleged proposed paddock and pasture in their ancestral home by Governor Tanko Almakura led administration.
The statement condemned the said proposal of paddock and pasture that was brought to their notice on the 20th January, 2017 with the committee in charge of the alleged exercise comprising the representatives of federal ministry of agriculture headed by the permanent secretary and the local government staff and security operatives.
He complained that the alleged plan to be executed in Atandura community, the leadership of Tiv Development Association Ekye Development Area, Doma Local Government Area wish to express their refusal to accommodate such alleged paddock and pasture. Zayol disclosed that the alleged policy is infraction of the relevant laws regulating the administration of land in Nigeria, the land use Act cap 15 L5 laws of the federation of Nigeria 2004 and the constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended.
He stressed that the Tiv development association Doma local government in conjunction with the Atandura community have refused the proposed paddock and pasture to be situated at Atandura community in Ekye development area as they are already suffering from seizure of both farmland and some homes by the herders.
“We are calling on the Federal government to know that, Atandura community has been earmarked as a Tiv modern settlement area in compliance with the recommendation of the joint committee set up by the two states, Benue and Nasarawa States on 24th June, 2011 as a mechanism to control communal clashes that occurred over the years”.
The statement cautioned that the land in question is in dispute and “we had demonstrated our position clearly as we refuse any suggestions to share our limited land with any herder who is not an indigene of our community and has
adopted criminal approach to collect our said land”.
He explained further that the community voice was addressed to the Emir of Lafia, Alh Dr Mustapha Agwai I on 9th June, 2015 and copied to various authorities.
