By Daniel Agbo Makurdi–
With less than three weeks to the Anti-Open Grazing and Ranches Establishment Law in Benue state, Governor Samuel Ortom yesterday inaugurated the Livestock Special Task Force to fast tract its implementation.
Performing the inauguration ceremony at the banquet hall of the People’s House Makurdi, Ortom said the mandate of the taskforce was to eff ectively enforce the provisions of the law regulating the anti open grazing and prohibition law.
He said the constitution of the special task force was in accordance with the law and in furtherance of its objectives, noting that widely experienced personalities from the security formations in the state, traditional leadership and technocrats had been drawn to constitute the task force.
”Your terms of reference are, therefore, embedded in the law which you must always use for the performance of your duties.
”My dear members of the taskforce as professionals, traditional rulers and security conscious people your choice on the taskforce is not merely by coincidence but deliberate,’ he said.
He urged the members to use their wealth of experience, knowledge, foresight and contact to successfully perform the onerous task.
“Th e law has given you a wide range of powers, but you are expected to use it conscientiously without fear or favour in the interest of Benue and Nigeria,” he said.
Ortom also assured the resident in the state of their freedom to live and operate without hindrance from any quarters.
He said that it was by so doing that individuals and groups could achieve the dream of a prosperous society.
Responding, the chairman of the task force, Col. Edwin Jando (retd), appreciated the state government for fi nding them worthy to serve on the all important taskforce.
Th e chairman pledged to execute the assignment with all seriousness in order to realise the goals.
