Obaseki meets Buhari, asks Nigerian govt to fund ranches

The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, on Wednesday demanded the full implementation of the National Livestock Transformation Programme (NLTP) to address the problem of clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the country.

The governor made the call when he addressed State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He said the people of Edo had resolved that ranching was a private business and should be treated as such.

Obaseki said: “Our people said that as far as they are concerned, ranching is a private business just like every other agricultural venture, therefore, those involved should provide the land.

“As you already know, it is expensive to run and manage ranches.

“So I came to discuss with the President that since the people of Edo would rather invest privately.

“Then, the National Livestock Transformation Programme, which is now being implemented by the Federal Government, should acknowledge our model.

“It should also be able to help Edo people benefit from the funding that is now being made available for people who want to go into the livestock business and have made investments in ranches and other similar livestock programmes.”

READ ALSO: Obaseki explains reluctance in signing anti-grazing bill

According to him, the state government is yet to promulgate the anti-open grazing law because it sees the venture as private business.

He added: “As you know, most Southern States have passed laws relating to open grazing but Edo State has not. Because we want to ensure that whatever laws we pass are laws that we can enforce.

“We have had extensive consultations with our people to deal with the issue that yes, we do not want open grazing because it is out modelled and outdated; however, what are the options?

“If we are asking that we should now have ranches and these cows should be constrained to specific areas such as ranches, then who provides the land?”

Obaseki commended the Senate for joining the House of Representatives in approving the transmission of election results electronically.

“Definitely if not for God and the technology utilized by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), I may not be governor today.

“So, I am one of those people who believe that we should not have elections in this country, going into the future, without transmitting results electronically from the polling units.

“Because, for elections to be credible, they have to be seen as transparent and once you have voted, you should be sure that your vote will count,” the governor stated.

He maintained that INEC has the capacity to transmit results electronically.

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