Alia also alleged that some persons told herders in neighbouring countries to come and settle back in Benue because the anti-open-grazing law has been relaxed
By Kehinde Okeowo
Benue State governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has stated that contrary to information circulating in some quarters that the state’s Open-Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law has been relaxed, the law is still in full force in the state.
He made this known on Monday at the old Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi, while interfacing with leaders of various unions in the state, .
Speaking at the event, the governor said the parley was to intimate the unions on the happenings in the state and the country and to appreciate them for their support to his administration.
He charged them to always coexist peacefully, urging them not to allow themselves to be used by anyone planning to destabilize the state.
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Gov Alia further said the recent influx of herders and their cattle in the state was because some persons had written to the herders in neighbouring countries such as Niger Republic, to come and settle back in Benue because the anti-open-grazing law has been relaxed.
He said: “I feel quite sad however, as the security report has it on good authority that there are certain people who are responsible for the influx of herders in the state.
“They even went out of their way, to go all the way to the Nigerien border to invite the herders to come in; that the law they had in Benue before is then, and so nothing is going to happen.”
He went on to assure the people of the state that the law is in force, and has not been relaxed.
“My dear people of Benue, on very good authority, I want you to know that the Anti-Open Grazing law is still in place,” Alia added.
