Open grazing ban still in force, Alia warns herders 


Governor Hycinth Alia of Benue state Tuesday said his administration will ensure full implementation of the state’s Open-Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment adding that government will do everything possible to ensure herders trooping into the state for open grazing return back to where they came from.


In the past two weeks there has been influx of herders and their cows into Benue and it is  a situation that has created tension among residents, particularly in the local communities.


Speaking when he held an interface with leaders of various unions in the state at the old Banquet Hall, Government House, Makurdi, Governor Alia
expressed sadness over the activities of certain persons which has attracted the huge influx of herders in most local government areas in the state.


He said the recent influx of the herders and their cattle into the state is because some persons had written to the herders in neighbouring countries such as Niger Republic, to come and settle back in Benue, as the anti-open-grazing prohibition and ranches establishment law has been relaxed.


“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 the 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 saying  that the law they had in Benue before against open grazing is no longer on, and so nothing is going to happen,” he said.


The governor assured the people of the state that the law is in force, and has not been relaxed by anyone.


“My dear people of Benue, on very good authority, I want you to know that the Anti-Open Grazing law is still in place,” he said.