The Jigawa government has set up a transit herders  registration committee as part of renewed security and governance measures to combat insecurity.

The government also approved the institutionalisation of citizens’ engagement mechanisms across the state, said a statement by Sagir Musa, Commissioner for Information, Youths, Sports and Culture, on Tuesday in Dutse.

He said that the council approved the constitution of a high-level committee to develop a framework for registering transit herders.

Mr Musa said that the initiative was aimed at strengthening rural security, improving livestock management and promoting peaceful coexistence between farmers and pastoralists.

He said that the committee would examine the proposed registration framework and recommend practical measures for the effective management of transhumance activities across the state.

The commissioner said that the measure would particularly address the movement of herders returning from post-rainy-season grazing in the Republic of Niger.

“Our goal is to establish a transparent and accountable system that improves livestock traceability, strengthens public health safeguards and reduces the likelihood of conflicts in rural communities,” he said.

Mr Musa said that the committee would be chaired by the secretary to the state government, and would include commissioners responsible for livestock development, justice, environment, health and local government.

The SEC, he said, was confident that the committee’s recommendations would provide a sustainable framework for managing livestock movements and enhancing peace and security in rural communities.

Mr Musa said that the council also approved a roadmap for implementing the recommendations of the 2025 Jigawa State Government Citizens’ Engagement Programme.

He said that the roadmap introduced quarterly government-citizen town hall meetings at both state and local government levels to strengthen public participation in governance.

The commissioner said that the council approved the establishment of community engagement desks across the 27 council areas, and a state coordinating desk under the Ministry of Information.

He said that a digital citizens’ feedback and complaint platform would also be developed to improve transparency, accountability and public participation in decision-making.

“These reforms are intended to transform citizens’ engagement from occasional consultations into a permanent governance mechanism with measurable feedback, monitoring and accountability processes,” he said.

Mr Musa said that the reforms would strengthen rural stability and create a more accountable relationship between government and citizens, stating, “Security and public trust are mutually reinforcing. When communities are carried along, and their concerns are formally integrated into governance, the state becomes more peaceful, responsive and resilient.”

(NAN)