Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has cautioned conventional rulers within the state towards allocating land to herdsmen inside forest areas, warning that anybody discovered culpable will face sanctions.
The governor issued the warning whereas flagging off the 2025/2026 dry farming season on the state-owned rice farm in Otuasega neighborhood, Ogbia Native Authorities Space.
He mentioned the directive aligns with the state’s current anti-grazing regulation.
In an announcement by his spokesman, Mr Daniel Alabrah, Governor Diri was quoted as explaining that the motion of herdsmen with their cattle typically results in the destruction of farmlands and crops, negatively impacting meals production within the state.
He mentioned, “On the problem of herdsmen, they don’t stay on our farms. What’s appropriate is that they transfer and destroy crops.
“Let me state once more that our anti-grazing regulation remains to be in power. Contact any safety company in instances of herdsmen destruction, relatively than going to social media.
“Let me warn our conventional rulers who give herdsmen land in our forests that anybody caught shall be sanctioned. Bayelsa should be protected, and we should all contribute to its security.”
Governor Diri additionally instructed the Commissioner for Agriculture and Pure Sources to make sure elevated production of Bayelsa-made rice by the top of 2026. He additional introduced a month-to-month N200 million intervention to help farmers throughout the state.
“For our farmers, we’ll all the time help you. Honourable Commissioner, determine the true farmers within the state, and what I used to be doing for MSMEs may even be finished for farmers. So, N200 million month-to-month will now be put aside to help our farmers,” he mentioned.
He additionally inspired civil servants and residents of the state to actively take part in agricultural actions.