President Muhammadu Buhari said yesterday that under the Land Use Act of 1978, he lacks the constitutional powers to create cattle colonies across the country.

This is even as he said that the federal government is committed to laying foundations upon which equitable and progressive society can be built, where all citizens can look forward to the opportunities for realising their full potentials without any hindrance.

President Buhari spoke at the South-South zonal meeting of the National Committee of the Buhari Support Groups (NCBSG) in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The President, who was represented by his Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Ita Enang, said the Land Use Act gave powers to state governors and local government chairmen to control land in their domains.

He noted that long ago, there were cattle routes running from Chad, Niger and others down to the Atlantic, adding that “when Nigeria became four regions, we had cattle routes in each of the regions.”

He said “when Nigeria created states, each of the states made laws to regulate rearing of animals. In 1978, under Chief Olusegun Obasanjo as head of state, the Land Use Act was made. Under the Land Use Act, the President of Nigeria has power to control lands in Abuja only.

The president reiterated the commitment of his administration to tackle theft, diversion and misappropriation of public funds while steadily diversifying the economy for sustained growth.

He added “as a government, we are committed to laying the foundations upon which an equitable and progressive society can be built in which all citizens can look forward to the opportunities for realising their full potentials without let or hindrance.

“While it is still work in progress, we are confident that the amount of work done in the first 32 months of this administration points to a new solid foundation for building the Nigeria of our dreams.

“Not only did we ease out of an inevitable recession in record time, our revenue profile, our foreign reserves and foreign investments are all on the rise again; and we have mobilized contractors back to project sites across the country, including the South-South Zone.”

Buhari also announced the approval of the first phase of an economic empowerment initiative for about 200 women and children in every senatorial district of the South-South geopolitical zone of the country.

The president said, “I have the pleasure to announce the first phase of a new economic empowerment initiative to support the growth of women and youth-led micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs)in the South-South zone.

“The first phase will provide small economic activity grants to 200 women and youths in each senatorial district in this zone”.

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