…committee urges sanction of erring traditional rulers, LGA bosses over encroachment
No fewer than 1,599 persons have been confirmed to have encroached the six gazetted grazing reserves in Gombe State.
Disclosing this Assistant Inspector of Police Zubairu Mu’azu (retd.), noted that 3,623 encroached on cattle routes, adding that 911 others encroached on forest reserves.
Muazu, stated these on Friday while giving report of his committee on grazing, forest, game reserves and cattle routes to Governor Muhammadu Yahaya at the banquet hall of Gombe Government House.
“A total of 1,599 persons confirmed to have encroached on the six gazetted grazing reserves. 3,623 encroached on cattle routes, 911 encroached on Forest reserves,” he said.
Explaining further Mu’azu disclosed saying “Gombe has six gazetted grazing reserves, 32 forest reserves with no game reserve, has 37 cattle routes consisting of 10 national cattle routes, nine state routes and 18 local government routes.”
He added, “Some of the grazing reserves have been encroached by all levels of government state, Local, and traditional institution as a result of these some have obtained certificates of occupancy to legalise their illegality in various locations Wawazange, Amada, etc.”
The committee Chairman urged government to punish traditional rulers, LGA bosses who have flouted the gazetted reserves using relevant laws, “Government should sanction all traditional rulers that unlawfully authorised the purchase on gazetted forest reserves and cattle routes in accordance to the provision of chieftaincy law and 139, 142 penal code law. Government should sanction Local Government Councils for unlawful authorisation of encroachment in gazetted forest and grazing reserves in their areas,” Mu’azu added.
Also, Chairman Technical Committee on the Review of Gombe Master Plan, Professor James Kaltho, said that the revised master plan will cover the period of ten years– 2023 to 2033, adding that “it will meet the projected population of over 500,000 people in the city within the period in review.”
Responding, shortly after receiving reports from both committees separately Yahaya, vowed that his administration was committed to entrenching peace and development.
He promised that the various recommendations would be looked into towards achieving a progressive state.
