From Bridget C. Onochie and Sandra Chukwugekwu
As the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Parliament) continues its Second Extraordinary Session and Seminar in Accra, Ghana, Deputy President of Nigerian Senate and 1st Deputy Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Barau Jibrin, has admonished the region to learn lessons from the lingering farmer/herder conflicts and their attendant humanitarian crises in Nigeria.
In his presentation titled, ‘Strategies for addressing internal displacement and farmer-herder conflicts in Nigeria’, the lawmaker, whose report was presented by Senator Sadiq Umar, said that Nigeria’s experience provides several relevant lessons to the region and by extension, African Continent.
He stated that though Nigeria is blessed with extensive agricultural and pastoral economies with majority of her people depending on farming or livestock production for survival, pressure on land and water resources has culminated in conflicts, banditry, terrorism and other disasters.
Speaking on some of the strategies put in place to mitigate the problem, Barau explained that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction was created to among others responsibilities, manage emergency relief operations and internally displaced persons response systems.
“Nigeria’s approach is increasingly consistent with the international shift from short-term humanitarian response towards government-led development-orientated solutions.
“Nigeria is also one of the countries selected under the United Nations Secretary-General’s Action Agenda on Internally Displaced and Focused National Pathways towards Durable Solutions.
“Nigeria’s commitment to the protection of internally displaced persons has also been strengthened through its engagement with the African Union Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa, commonly known as the Kampala Convention”, he said.
Expressing concerns that the problems seemed to have defied several efforts as more than 3 million Nigerians still littered in Internally Displaced People’s camps across the country, the lawmaker advised that internal displacement should not be treated as the exclusive responsibility of humanitarian agencies but that which requires the coordination of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as traditional institutions.
He also expressed need to pay critical attention to early warning signs, conflict prevention mechanisms and climate adaptation.
According to him, livestock should be treated, not simply as a security concern but as an important economic sector, stressing that investment in ranching, feeding and breeding can mitigate pressures associated with uncontrolled livestock market.
The parliamentarian equally tasked his colleagues to design legislative framework necessary for protecting displaced persons as well as regulate land and livestock management.
“Parliamentary committees should conduct evidence-based oversight of government programmes and expenditure relating to displacement, security, agriculture, livestock and reconstruction,” he said.
He added that Nigeria’s experience has demonstrated that internal displacement and farmer-herder conflicts are complex challenges that require comprehensive and coordinated solutions.
He also harped on mechanisms for effective implementation, which he said, is critical in ensuring that farmers and herders pursue their lawful and productive livelihoods without hitches.
Senator Barau’s report hinged on Nigeria’s internal security challenges and their attendant socio-economic implications. He therefore advised on prevention of similar problems in the region and the continent at large, rather than cure.
“For Africa, the challenge extends beyond responding to crises after they occur, it requires building resilient institutions, economies and communities capable of preventing conflicts and protracted displacement.
“As parliamentarians, we have a responsibility to support appropriate legislation, strengthen oversight, promote inclusive dialogue and ensure that public resources are directed towards sustainable solutions”, he added.