§ Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies if he will give details of the Jema'a agriculture scheme of the Northern Region Production Development Board of Nigeria; why the Birom chiefs have opposed it; and what steps are being taken to overcome this opposition.
§ Mr. LytteltonIn 1949, the Emir of Jema'a agreed to let farmers from the Birom people use land in the Jema'a division. A resettlement scheme was then begun for the benefit of Birom volunteers with assistance from Government supervisory staff and money. The Northern Regional Production Development Board later took over the supervision and financing. Early success in clearing, building and planting was not followed by the expected flow of new settlers.
374Whave been charged in the courts during 1952 and 1953; and whether he will give details of each case including the offences and the results of the trial.
§ Mr. LytteltonFollowing is the information:
This has been due, in part, to opposition from the Birom chiefs and elders who seem to prefer their people to live in poverty under their control rather than in better conditions in a Moslem Emirate. Persuasion and propaganda have been used in an effort to overcome this opposition, and it has been made clear that if the Birom people were not forthcoming in sufficient numbers the land will be offered to others.