Metro

Benue kicks against grazing area for Fulani herdsmen

Published

8 years ago

March 28, 2016

Benue kicks against grazing area for Fulani herdsmen

The Benue State government has kicked against plans by the Federal Government to establish grazing land for Fulani herdsmen as a way of putting an end to the frequent clashes between the herdsmen and farmers in the country.

The state government however maintained that only the establishment of ranches can effectively end the crisis.

Benue State has been the worst affected by the clashes, with over 500 killed in Agatu Local Government Area of the state recently.

The government made known its position on Sunday, in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and ICT, Mr. Tahav Agerzua.

He said: “Governor Samuel Ortom has reiterated overtime that the establishment of ranches remains the best global practice in animal husbandry that explains why there are no clashes between farmers and herders in countries that have domesticated the practice.

“It has become the generally acceptable practice, which necessitated the position of the government on the matter.”

Wondering why Nigeria has not adopted the practice, Tahav, said that it would serve as the permanent solution to the unending clashes and effectively address the menace of herdsmen/farmers crisis, adding that it would be very difficult and almost impossible to convince any community to donate parcels of land for the purpose of creating grazing land for cattle Fulani herdsmen.

He rather suggested a synergy between states and the Federal Government in the implementation of the policy.

According to the statement, the state government suggested that in the interim, measures that would promote peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders must be promoted and infringement on the right of either party should be handled within the ambit of the law without resort to self help.

He said the relative peace currently witnessed in the state had been achieved through the Governor’s advocacy and dialogue with the relevant groups, assuring that the administration had intensified collaboration with security agencies.

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