By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has signed into Law the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law as amended by the Benue State House of Assembly.
The Governor who performed the ceremony at the Government House Makurdi, noted that the amendment was an attestation of the respect the Benue State Government has for the rule of law and due process.
The Governor stated: ” We will continue to ensure that Benue State maintains the rule of law, and once we maintain the rule of law, it’s the protection for everyone, even those who are not leaders, ordinary man on the street is protected, that’s the essence.”
” We all know the history of Prohibition of Open Grazing and provision for Ranching law, it is a child of necessity. Our people were being killed, our children and women were being raped, the ancestral homes of our people that we represent were being destroyed.”
The amended sections 11, 19 and 22 of the law provides for review of the charges from N2000 to N50,000 for each cow apprehended for flouting the said law.
The law further makes provision for additional N20,000 charge for an arrested cow that has been quarantine for the owner to come and claim, after which if he fails to comply seven days as stipulates by law, the cow will be auctioned.
The Governor warned that the stiffer penalties contained in the amended sections were to strengthen the cause to defend the Benue people and their land against annexation agenda.
Ortom applauded the Speaker and members of the Benue State House of Assembly for their support and timely passage of the bill. He equally commended the people of Benue State for standing with him in defense of the territorial integrity of the state.
The Speaker, Mr Titus Uba in his remarks asserted that the Anti Open Grazing Law has provided lasting solution to the farmers, herders’ crisis.
