By
Terver Akase
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor
On Monday, May 22 this year, Benue State Governor, Samuel
Ortom made history when he signed the state's Open Grazing Prohibition and
Establishment of Ranches Law 2017. The enactment of the law has continued to
receive applause from many Nigerians who describe it as the best solution to
the frequent clashes between herdsmen and farmers in the state.
Before the enactment of the law, economic activities
particularly farming were badly affected in parts of Benue State as the people
lived in constant fear of attacks from gun bearing herdsmen who invaded
communities, killed and destroyed property worth billions of naira. Thousands
of people were displaced from their homes as a result of the crisis.
Efforts to find a permanent solution to the herders-farmers
crisis were not yielding the desired results.
This was why the passage of the anti-open grazing bill by the
Benue State House of Assembly later signed by Governor Ortom was received with
joy and relief by the people. The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of
Nigerian, MACBAN also described the law as the best step towards lasting peace.
The State House of Assembly passed the anti-open grazing bill
following public hearings it conducted in the three senatorial zones of the
state which drew participants from all walks of life including herdsmen.
The anti-open grazing law specifically permits grazing of
livestock only within ranches and prohibits the movement of animals from one
destination to another in the State except by rail, trucks and other vehicles.
It spells out punishment for offenders ranging from imprisonment
to payment of fines on conviction by a law court.
Interestingly, the law also protects livestock and ranches as
it stipulates severe punishment for any person convicted for rustling cattle or
any other animals kept in ranches.
Considering the novel nature of the law, Governor Samuel
Ortom and his administration decided to give people ample time to study and
understand implications of the new legislation while livestock owners prepared
for ranching. Implementation of the law was therefore delayed by five months
which ended yesterday.
The Governor's decision to sign the law but allow five months
to elapse before its implementation commences is another proof that the law has
come with a human face and it is not targeted at a particular group of persons.
It must be pointed out that apart from the security concerns
that the anti-open grazing law is to address, the ranching policy of the Ortom
Administration is aimed at fully exploiting agriculture value chain advantages
in Benue State as it is the practice in most developed countries.
Another economic benefit is that by confining cattle and
other animals in a ranch as stipulated by the law, the problem of green pasture
will be addressed with the creation of a new value chain as unemployed youths
would take the advantage and be encouraged to go into the production of special
grass for sale to ranch-owners.
The Benue State Open Grazing Prohibition and Establishment of
Ranches Law is a tested revenue earner not only for the state but also for the
country.
It is gladdening to note that since the promulgation of the
law, relative peace has returned to the communities affected by the crisis,
leading to full resumption of farming and other socio-economic activities.
To further demonstrate his commitment to the implementation
of the law, Governor Ortom has already inaugurated the livestock guards and
advisory committee charged with enforcement of the act across the State.
Though Governor Ortom has received calls and threats to
discourage him from implementing the law, he has remained focused on the task
at hand which he considers to be the best solution to the frequent crisis
between herdsmen and farmers.
The Benue State Government has already set in motion the
machinery to provide land for pilot ranches. This is to help livestock owners
who may find the establishment of private ranches challenging.
In its determination to contain other security challenges,
the Ortom administration also promulgated the anti cultism, kidnapping and
hostage taking law following the increasing wave of violence associated with
the vices.
The anti open grazing law is Benue people's legislation
designed to guarantee lasting peace and should not be politicized; neither
should some persons conspire to sabotage its implementation.
The Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of
2017 in Benue State has come to stay and should therefore be supported by all.
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