The National President, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), Muhammad Kirowa, has stated that over 250 trucks loaded with cattle on daily basis move to the south-western part of the country with 6,000 cows transported to Lagos alone for consumption, thus contributing to the growth of nation’s economy through cattle rearing.
The president explained that with their contributions to nation’s economy, Nigerians should not see herdsmen as a nuisance but part and parcel of Nigerians whose means of livelihood is cattle rearing.
Kirowa was in Makurdi, Benue State capital on the invitation of Governor Samuel Ortom over the implementation of anti-grazing law expected to commence November 1, 2017.
Kirowa, however, blamed northern governors for abandoning over 415 grazing reserves spread across the region but unattended to which he said would have gone a long way to stop the incessant rift between herders and locals.
While acknowledging that ranching could also be an alternative to curb the incessant killings, Kirowa noted that Nigerians should realise that cattle rearing is the major livelihood of herders and explained that herdsmen also contributed to the growth of nation’s economy.
“I passionately appeal to the Governor Ortom to discuss with his fellow northern governors on the need to revive grazing reserves by making them attractive as well as sensitise the herdsmen on economic benefits of ranching. If this is not done, then the crisis between farmers and herdsmen will continue.”
“There are more than 415 grazing reserves in the northern part of the country which the northern governors have abandoned and left unattended to, until these governors revive the grazing reserves, crisis between farmers and herdsmen may not reduce,” he said.
President of the Breeders Association also urged Governor Ortom to extend the enforcement time to allow it more time to study the law and sensitise its members.
Governor Ortom however, turned down the extension of time for implementation of the law, explaining that the government had been so magnanimous to have five months transition period for enforcement of the law.
Governor Ortom re-emphasised that the law was not aimed at chasing the herdsmen away, adding that government is prepared to lease land to those who are willing to graze their cows.
“The law will have human face and where there are issues, they will be addressed well that is why the government has set up committees at the all levels to ensure the implementation of the law without bias”.
“Concerning the extension of time, I have a great challenge here, because that was why we gave enough time from May, 2017 when the law was assented to till November 1st,2017 to allow everyone to prepare for its enforcement, although, i promise that the law will have a human face.”
The governor further said that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture had decided to set up pilot ranches in some parts of the country Benue inclusive.