KACRAN urges NEDC to prioritize livestock development in 2026 policies, programmes
From Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria, KACRAN, a critical stakeholder in the North East region, has called on the North East Development Commission, NEDC, to significantly incorporate Livestock Development into its 2026 policies and programmes.
This call was made in a press statement by Khalil Mohamme Bello, the National President of the association he said that, the KACRAN acknowledges the tireless efforts and significant achievements of the NEDC since its inception in rebuilding and rehabilitating the North East. We commend the Commission for its successes, including; Infrastructure: Renovation and construction of schools, houses, hospitals, health centres, roads, and bridges destroyed by insurgency or to accommodate displaced persons.
“Security Support: Training of thousands of forest guards and the distribution of utility vehicles to security operatives to help combat insecurity and the prompt provision of support and assistance to victims of various incidents, including the vital role played during the major floods in Maiduguri last year.
“IDP Relief: Consistent distribution of material relief and palliatives to internally displaced persons, IDPs, some of whom are our members.
“We believe the NEDC has performed commendably and is a true partner in progress for the region’s State Governments.
“Despite these successes, KACRAN draws the attention of the NEDC to the profound and disproportionate impact of insecurity and insurgency on the region’s pastoralist communities, and Pastoralists operate primarily in the bushes, the epicentre of the conflict, making them and their livestock the most vulnerable.
Countless pastoralists have been killed, and hundreds of thousands of livestock—their sole means of livelihood—have been stolen or rustled and a critical shocking assessment reveals that North East pastoralists have been at the receiving end of the Commission’s programmes.
“Therefore we have received minimal direct benefits from the annual billions allocated for the region’s development projects, as these projects mainly focus on urban infrastructure (houses, roads, bridges) that do not and would never address our unique desired needs.”
In a call to action, KACRAN stated: “On behalf of millions of North East pastoralists, KACRAN passionately appeals to the NEDC leadership to address this imbalance with immediate and long-term actions.
Therefore we call for the provision of animal feed, water points, relief materials, and palliative support for our internally displaced members who have been completely ruined by the insurgency and also we urge the NEDC to make a serious and dedicated commitment to Livestock Development in its 2026 Policies and Programmes.
“This is the only way to ensure fairness and compensate for the structural neglect our communities have faced since the Commission’s creation and we believed that by engaging in robust livestock development, the NEDC could align with the spirit of fairness and inclusive development, thereby helping the North East pastoralist communities rebuild their livelihoods and contribute fully to the region’s economic recovery.”
