By Palma Ileye
Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria, KACRAN, has called for an end to sharp practices in the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support, L-PRES, pastoralist engagement program.
According to a press release issued by the KACRAN National President, Khalil Mohd Bello stated that it was regrettable and unfortunate that many people mistakenly believe that dealing with pastoralists or herders, who primarily reside in rural areas due to their occupation and cultural practices, involves engaging with individuals who can be easily deceived or exploited.
Bello said that in this regard, the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support, L-PRES, program was a concerning example of where such unacceptable practices occur.
He said that these actions contradict the policies of the World Bank, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Northern Governors, which aim to promote livestock productivity and value chains.
This initiative he said led to the introduction of L-PRES in Nigeria by the World Bank, launched at Fadama 3, House Wuse Abuja, in 2017.
KACRAN through its President, strongly condemned how L-PRES was currently managed in most Northern States collaborating with the World Bank noting that, “Except for Gombe and Nasarawa States, which strive to ensure pastoralists are the main beneficiaries, the project is largely hijacked by implementers who prioritize their own families over pastoralist women who have long been part of the dairy industry.”
The Association said that another concerning issue was how certain officials, entrusted by their States, have ignored pastoralist stakeholders when selecting beneficiaries disclosing that, they invite firms to train women with no ties to the dairy industry and involve media to falsely portray the program’s success.
“This situation occurred in a State where I was invited to an L-PRES training program. Upon discovering the selection criteria, I condemned the practice of allocating only 10 slots to pastoralist women out of 200 beneficiaries. This prompted this press statement to urge the World Bank and Northern Governors to comprehensively review L-PRES operations in Nigeria,” KACRAN stated.
KACRAN feared that if the program continues to be managed manipulatively, it will ultimately fail also demanding answers from the L-PRES implementers in Nigeria.
It questioned, “Why are stakeholders not engaged during beneficiary selection, contrary to World Bank practices?
“Are they aware that it is deceitful to train irrelevant participants as beneficiaries of the L-PRES program?
“Is it not a waste to train women unfamiliar with the dairy business in a program meant to enhance the dairy milk value chain?
“Why is there a shift towards benefiting friends and family instead of promoting the dairy milk industry in Nigeria?
“Do they realize the program’s potential ripple effect on economic resilience and community livelihoods?”
KACRAN said it remains committed to ending these sharp practices while urging L-PRES Management to engage stakeholders in beneficiary selection.
“We call on Northern State Governors to emulate Gombe State’s approach and ensure pastoralist women are the true beneficiaries. We also appeal to Northern Governors yet to partner with the World Bank to do so and oversee the program’s execution diligently.”