Plateau considering banning open grazing, embrace ranching – Lalong

Plateau state government is considering banning open grazing when the implementation of ranching takes off in the state.

But, unlike Benue state, Plateau state will first test- run the pilot ranching programme which will commence in the nearest future in two local government areas of Kanam and Wase, gazetted by the state government for grazing.

The outcome of the pilot scheme will thereafter, inform the state government’s decision to ban open grazing enabling pastoralists to fully integrate into the ranching programme and reap the benefits.

Speaking at a two-day workshop on National Level Justice and Security Dialogue, organised by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), the Governor of Plateau state, Simon Lalong said it has become imperative for government to deploy all resources at its disposal to break the vicious cycle of violence and lay a solid foundation for the return of peace in the state.

Represented by the Director General, Plateau Peace Building Agency, Joseph Lengmang, Gov. Lalong said, the farmers/herders conflict represents a serious threat to peace and security.

“There is an opportunity for us to further consolidate on our ongoing efforts to transform the very conditions that engendered the conflict in the first place.

This will certainly require a multi-dimensional approach predicated on systematic dialogue and a deliberate effort to modernize the process of livestock production in our country,” Lalong said.

Also speaking, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chrysanthus Ahmadu, said the enabling laws to ensure that the ranching programme is a success have been properly looked into, to ensure that everybody’s right is properly protected.

Programme Coordinator, Justice and Security Dialogue (JSD), Mrs. Isioma Kemakolam said the workshop is positioned to approach the farmers/herders conflict from the human rights perspective.

Kemakolam said the first two workshops that were held in collaboration with the office of the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, centred on security, but now the human rights perspective has become imperative as it is the common ground that affects everyone.

Also at the event, the state Commissioner of Police, Issac Akinmolode, represented by Superintendent of Police, Musa Hassan, said the police with other security agencies will ensure that security within and around the ranching sites when it commences will be well protected in accordance with the law.

Our correspondent reports that the workshop involved 46 participants drawn from seven identified northern states prone to farmers/herders conflicts, namely, Adamawa, Taraba, Zamfara, Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue states.