Benue roars!

• FG’s ranching outlets upset citizens, stakeholders

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi  

An uproar has erupted in Benue State following a plan by the Federal Government to set up ranching outlets in the state. The proposal announced by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, has sparked off stringent opposition from religious, traditional and civic groups.

The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) described it as an attempt to bring back grazing reserves. Bright Antyo, its state Publicity Secretary, roared: “Benue land is not available for grazing reserves, grazing settlements or any policy designed to create exclusive settlements for herders.

“Benue is an agrarian state. The overwhelming majority of our people depend directly on land for farming and survival. With a growing population, expanding communities and increasing demand for agricultural land, even our indigenous farmers are struggling to obtain sufficient land to cultivate.

“The immediate past governor, Samuel Ortom, had repeatedly warned that the population and agricultural realities of Benue had rendered the old system of grazing-reserves obsolete. His concern then was true of today’s realities.

“Governor Hyacinth Alia should come out clean on whether he has consented to Benue’s participation in the Federal Government ranching programme and make public where the proposed ranches will be located, how much land will be required and whether the affected communities have been consulted. We urge the governor to publicly reject any attempt to establish grazing reserves in the state.”

Chairman, Nigeria Catholic Diocesan Priests Association (NCDPA), Makurdi Diocese, Joseph Beba, said the state was already bleeding in the hands of the activities of the herdsmen. He claimed that the Federal Government had excluded the state from the ranching location decision-making process: “The state government could never have consented to any arrangement capable of undermining the rights, security, dignity and ancestral heritage of the people.”

The priests contended that the state was predominantly agrarian and has no available land for commercial ranching: “That ranching must not be used as a disguised instrument for land grabbing, forced occupation or the permanent displacement of indigenous communities.

“Our land is not for sale and has never been on sale. Ancestral homes should not be treated as bargaining chips. Our people must return home. Benue must not be enslaved through this policy. Federal Government should reconsider the proposal and instead pursue policies that will guarantee the safety, dignity land rights and return of displaced communities and people to their lands.”

President, Mutual Union of Tiv in America (MUTA), Akaa Daniel Ayangeakaa and Secretary, Joseph Zume, described the plan as “deeply troubling, given the prolonged violence, displacement and destruction suffered by communities in the state.” They demanded to know the criteria used by the Federal Government to include the state in the project and sought to know why Benue was picked for the pilot project in the first place.

They also asked whether the affected communities had been consulted, who would own the proposed ranches, where the land for the ranches would come from and what guarantees would be provided to ensure that displaced residents regained full possession of their ancestral lands.

MUTA warned that lands that appeared vacant and unoccupied because their owners had been displaced by violence must never be treated or mistaken as abandoned or available lands for redistribution: “Displacement does not extinguish ownership; violence cannot become a pathway to land acquisition.” It called for the suspension of Benue’s participation in the project and urged the Federal Government to prioritise the safe return, rehabilitation, compensation and protection of displaced communities.

A consortium of socio-cultural organisations led by Mdzough U Tiv, (MUT), Ochetoha k’Idoma and Omi Ny’Igede, argued: “It is insensitive to commence any discussion whatsoever that borders on land allocation for ranches when the original owners of these same lands have been displaced from their ancestral communities. Thousands of Benue residents displaced by violence occasioned by herders are still in IDP camps without homes, farms or means of livelihood.”

Air Commodore Titus Agbecha (rtd), reiterated that several communities had remained under siege for years, with their residents killed or forced away to flee from their homes without comprehensive mediation, justice or resettlement:

“Though they are not opposed to modern ranching, they demand genuine consultations, due consent and full compensations for the affected host communities.

“The proposed ranching must be voluntary, community-driven and should not undermine or displace food production of the area. Peace must precede the policy.”

Lazarus Mom, leader, Benue NGOs Network (BENGONET), said: “The programme is inappropriate. It appeared to have been designed without adequate consultations with the people or the affected communities.” He questioned the rationale behind the planned implementation of the policy in the state while thousands of displaced residents were unable to return to their ancestral homes:

“You want to come to Benue and establish ranches, how about the people that own the land? What are you talking about them? Are you consulting them, are they willingly giving you their land for you to ranch?

“We are talking about Benue, where people have been in IDP camps for over 10 years and running. Yet, you are not talking about settling those people to their ancestral homes. You are not dealing with the issues that had forced them from their ancestral homes, and you are coming to talk about ranching. That does not make sense!”

“Some days back, I saw a report that said there are over 140 grazing reserves in Nigeria, scattered mostly in places like Borno, Adamawa and other states. What has happened to those grazing reserves? Why can’t those areas be used for ranching?

“Why must you come and establish ranches in another state? If ranching is necessary, why can’t they establish ranches in Sokoto, Borno, Katsina or Gombe where these people are indigenes? Why come to Benue?

“For me, the most illogical thing is the fact that the government is doing this without the consent of the people. They are not carrying anybody along. They simply sit in their offices and decide policies for people without considering how those people feel.”

Governor Alia urged the people to exercise restraint. His press secretary, Tersoo Kula, said the governor would never embark on or consent to any policy that is directed against the interests of Benue State: “There was no need to take the issue to the streets, churches, media or market places in haste to politicise it.

“The governor is well aware that his mandate emanated from the people and will never take a position against their interest. He stressed his commitment to the resolution of the issue.

“He is already consulting relevant stakeholders and authorities. He will approach the proposal with careful consideration and strategic judgment, ensuring that the interests of Benue and its people remain his foremost priority.”