John Alechenu, Abuja
The Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has given herdsmen who are not prepared to abide by provisions of the state’s grazing law up till November 2017 to quit or be ready to face the consequences.
Ortom said this while responding to questions from journalists in Abuja on Friday. He explained that the law took two years to be formulated, noting that inputs were received from all relevant stakeholders before its passage into law.
According to him, contrary to insinuations in some quarters, the law was not targeted at individuals or an ethnic group but formulated to protect law abiding herdsmen and farmers.
Ortom stressed that his administration was prepared to provide land for those interested in ranching. This, he said, would be subject to strict adherence to relevant laws guiding land use.
The governor said, “The anti-open grazing law is not targeted at anyone, tribe or religion. It is meant to improve business in the state and save lives and property of both the herdsmen and farmers. We have given everyone grace period of between now and November this year to get ranches for their livestock.
“When the deadline expires, it is either you ranch your livestock peacefully and continue to do business here in Benue State or you quit. I have assured the herdsmen that I will provide them with security if they want to leave Benue State.
“The government of Benue State is ready to provide for those willing to ranch their livestock as I have done in my farm in Makurdi. The law even seeks to protect the Fulani herdsmen as it stipulates serious sanctions against cattle rustlers.”
Ortom welcomed the new Federal Government’s yam export policy. He said the state, which currently produces 46 per cent of the tubers of yams consumed in Nigeria, had put in place measures to increase production to 60 per cent and that the state would ensure that all exports meet international standards.
On the issue of security, the governor said his administration had since inception given attention to the security of lives and property of citizens and residents of the state.
This, he said, was the spirit behind the administration’s partnership with the Nigerian Prison Service to construct new cells within the state prison to accommodate individuals who decide to make crime their way of life.
He equally said security forces were closing in on the notorious armed robbery and kidnap kingpin commonly known as Gana, whose criminal gang had been behind heinous crimes in Benue and Taraba states.
In response to a question on the issue of restructuring, Ortom expressed the view that members of the National Assembly were better placed to handle such matters.
He explained that since the issue would require amendments to the Nigerian Constitution, people should be encouraged to forward suggestions to the lawmakers.
Source : http://punchng.com/grazing-bill-embrace-ranching-or-leave-benue-ortom-tells-herdsmen/

nice development. .kudos

Kyase your governor don wake up

very good

After October comes November. If all of them should be forced to go to their land, hungry will definitely kill them hope they know this. Arewa yooths take note.

..or they forfeit their cattle to the Ministry of Stomach Infrastructure..

Benue youth should start slaughtering any cow doing open grazing from November. This new national cake should be improved upon till all participating states bring their ''Meat'' as natural resources to Abuja for equitable SHARING to all the Federation just like Oyel.

This is called JUSTICE....

The fulani herdsmen owns the whole of benue state since they voted for buhari and APC.... By confining them to a ranch is injustice...

The Governor of Benue state is now being responsible to his people.

If the herdsmen do not want the ranching system, they should simply leave.

Very good development from the one time sleeping governor. So nice to know he's woken up to his responsibility of ensuring safety of lives and properties of his people.

Well done Governor

He shouldn't be providing safety for herdsmen from rustlers alone but that of the entire people residing in Benue.

CROWNWEALTH019:
Kyase your governor don wake up

his brain just reboot

Even if this will be all his achievements in this tenure then he shld carry go afterall he has nothing upstairs to galvanize Benue State to a greater height.

At least, this is something to be cheerful for.

zombieHUNTER:
The fulani herdsmen owns the whole of benue state since they voted for buhari and APC.... By confining them to a ranch is injustice...

And that means Lagos,Imo and ur state belongs to the Fulanis since they all voted for APC nonsense talk....

Very good.

Weldone Gov. Either they play according to the rules or they get out of Benue. Never beg them. We are not descendants of Othman Dan Fodio. Tell them.

Nigeria is finally on the precipice. Battle fronts are fast opening in many regions, something should be done fast before the coming apocalypse consumes 180 million people!

Why do these guy always delay their implementation dates? He's making great moves towards ranching and agriculture.

Ortom stressed that his administration was prepared to provide land for those interested in ranching. This, he said, would be subject to strict adherence to relevant laws guiding land use.

If you guys want to start a ranch go to Benue get a few hectares. This is how herdsmen will be ended not with legislation but after market share is taken. You'll see the culture of herding be regulated to history books when it's no longer profitable business.

In response to a question on the issue of restructuring, Ortom expressed the view that members of the National Assembly were better placed to handle such matters.He explained that since the issue would require amendments to the Nigerian Constitution, people should be encouraged to forward suggestions to the lawmakers.

Oh wish gave an opinion but ok.



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For once, something commendable from Ortom!