Stakeholders in Benue on Monday agreed to begin the implementation of the 2017 Anti-Open Grazing Law in November.
The law, which was signed by Governor Samuel Ortom in June, gave herdsmen a deadline of October to end open grazing and replace same with ranching from November first.
At the expanded State Security Council meeting held at the Benue People’s House, Makurdi, the stakeholder, advised the government to step up enlightenment ahead of the deadline, in view of the importance of the law.
They also agreed that the law was not targeted at any tribe or group of persons, and urged all Benue residents to support it.
Ortom noted that ranching is the best system of cattle rearing all over the world, stressing that his administration is willing to support herdsmen.
He denied reports that the state government has given quit notice to herdsmen in Benue, explaining that they are free to remain in Benue “so long as they obey the law”.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Tor Tiv and Chairman of the Benue State Council of Chiefs, Professor James Ayatse, commended the government for the steps taken so far towards implementing the law.
In his remarks, the Benue state Coordinator of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Alhaji Garus Gololo, said that his members are law-abiding citizens ready to support the anti-open grazing law.
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