Benue Government Moves Implementation Of Anti-grazin Bill To A New Date
Recalled the law, was signed in June ,2017 by the Benue state governor, Samuel Ortom giving herdsmen a deadline of October to end open grazing and replace same with ranching from November 1.
The stakeholders formally endorsed the deadline at the expanded State Security Council meeting held at the Benue People’s House, Makurdi.
The stakeholders advised government to step up enlightenment ahead of the deadline, in view of the importance of the law.
They also agreed that the law was not targeted at any tribe or group of persons, and urged all Benue residents to support it.
According to Ortom, the shift was meant for expanded security meeting to enlighten all stakeholders about the law and how it would be implemented.
He also added that ranching was the best system of cattle rearing the world over, stressing that his administration was willing to support herdsmen or people willing to stay in Benue and ranch their cows.
He however denied reports that government had given quit notice to herdsmen in Benue, explaining that they were free to remain in Benue “so long as they obey the law”.
continued, stating that;
“The law does not provide that herdsmen should leave Benue; it only encourages herdsmen and any other individual, who wishes to rear livestock, to do so within ranches so as to minimise clashes between herdsmen and farmers.”
Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, Prof. James Ayatse, the Tor Tiv and Chairman, Benue State Council of Chiefs, commended the government for the steps so far taken toward implementing the law. Ayatse, who was represented by Tor Kwande, Chief Ambrose Iortyer, urged herdsmen to embrace change as ranching was the best option worldwide.
Reacting to the new date, was Alhaji Garus Gololo, the Benue Coordinator of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), said that his members were law-abiding citizens ready to support the anti-open grazing law. He also distant his association from the suit challenging the Benue state government over anti-grazing bill, saying the leadership of Miyetti Allah Kautal Kohe was behind lawsuit.
Culled from Naij
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