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From Rose Ejembi, Makurdi
In this interview, Terver Akase, Chief Press Secretary to Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom explained that the anti open grazing law which recently came into force in the state intends to curb the incessant clashes between herdsmen and farmers with its attendant loss of lives and property.
Now that the anti Open Grazing law has commenced in Benue, what does it intend to achieve?
I think that a lot is being achieved because before November 1, there was palpable anxiety in the state because people were not sure that war would not break out on that day, but as you can see, there is no major crisis so far. That means the law is already on course. We must commend Benue people for their show of maximum support because for a long time in the history of the state, the people have not only expressed satisfaction and joy at government’s policy but they have taken to the streets to demonstrate their commitment to this law. This has shown that the law is a popular policy of government because across party divides we have received public commendation from the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) commending the government and the governor, particularly for the landmark achievement and the courage in signing the law. This shows that Benue people are united in this matter and people of Benue are standing with one voice to say ‘No to open grazing’ but ‘Yes to ranching.’
How do you mean?
Nigeria is the only country with millions of cow but with nearly zero percent ranching when it should be among the largest beef and milk producing nations of the world. With the number of livestock in the country, if we ranch them properly we will be competing with nations with beef and milk industry. India ranches their cow and buffalo, so also does USA that produces these products in large quantity. They all ranch their cows, because research has shown that ranched livestock produce better economic benefits than grazing livestock. And these are the advantages Nigeria can derive from going into ranching. Also, the cattle breeders will have much more to gain in ranching; it is a win, win thing. The security angle to it is important as there will be no more loss of lives and property on the side of herders and farmers.
But the herders have been saying that the law is to drive them out of Benue?
Not at all, the prohibition of open grazing law 2017 of Benue State does not intend to drive anyone out of the state, the law has been published in national dailies and people can assess it and read. Government has warned that if anyone is caught harassing herdsmen or their livestock, such a person will be dealt with in accordance with the provision of the law. There is a provision in section 20 against cattle rustling and that section stipulates that whoever is caught rustling cattle will be sent to three years in jail with payment of N100, 000.00 per cattle. Also, if you injure person in the cause of rustling, you will pay huge compensation to cattle owner. The law does not stop coming into Benue of cattle, it only says that if you have to move your cattle from one place to another you have to carry them in vehicles or train and not to move them on foot that will make them stray to people’s farms.
The law does not limit the prohibition to cattle alone but also; goat, pigs, chicken and other livestock and many Benue indigenes are into the livestock business. So, largely, the law was not set out against anybody. So, whoever says that is mischievous.
The argument in herdsmen’s camp is that establishing cattle ranch is not something done in few days and that there is a difference between ranching and leasing out of land as the government set out to do?
The law says do not sell land but lease the land and it is clear. From section 6 down, it stipulates procedure to own a ranch, that is if you are not owners of the land but for owners of the land, you have to notify government.
And if you want a lease of land, you have to notify the owner of the land. If the parties agree, the ministry of agriculture will then be notified and the ministry too has its own procedure to follow to establish the agreement between the two parties. Then the ministry will now notify the state governor who will sign the agreement and give a permit of one year which is also renewable. But another section of the law says that if the business of the person who hires the land constitutes threat to the security of the state then it will be revoked. The law does not permit anybody to sell land. So, if the herders go with the intention of buying land they are getting it wrong. Already, the law will soon be translated into local languages including Hausa/Fulfulde to ensure that whoever is planning livestock business in the state fully understands the law.
Cattle dealers at the International Cattle Market in North Bank area of Makurdi claimed that they have lost so much cattle since the commencement of the implementation of the law because the law had strangulated them. What have you to say on that?
Well, the governor said that the law will be implemented with human face, which means that the regulators of the law know that it is a new law. They will not be too harsh on people who do not have ranches now, they are going to be guided and aided into the business. That is why we are talking about pilot ranches so that those who have cattle and have to graze them will be moved to the ranches. There will be one in Makurdi, Gboko, Guma, Agatu Logo and others. It will be massive land that can accommodate as many as possible and graze there. They should not entertain any fear at all. Nobody will harass or intimidate them; the only thing is that they should conduct themselves properly.
Since the law took effect, what is the report so far across the state? Is the state government satisfied with its implementation?
Perfection belongs to God. No human law is perfect but the take off of the implementation of this law is so far not bad. In as much as the challenges are there at the beginning, we can proudly say that we are happy the law has come to effect. Except for pockets of incidence in Logo where one person was killed and some others injured, there is no major one to point that the law is failing. I can say that so far, it has been impressive and we expect more improvement in days to come.
