Benue Celebrates Anniversary of the Open Grazing Prohibition Law
Erdoo Due
In commemoration of the third year anniversary of the implementation of the Open Ranches Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017, the Benue state government under the standing committee on monitoring and implementation of government litigations and matters related converged at the Precious Events Centre on the 4th -6th November 2020 with the theme “Open-grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017; A Recipe for Security and Peaceful Co-existence.
The anniversary witnessed a large turn up of Benue citizens including Governor Samuel Ortom, Traditional rulers, civil society organizations, members of the Nigerian security, Academics and the general public.
In his address of welcome, the committee chairman, Emmanuel Agbakor Esq acknowledged that peace is a sequel for peaceful living and love. He said “initially the attacks were carried out with sophisticated weapons like AK47 which has led to the death of hundreds of people; women raped with destruction of farms and properties. This made it necessary for the enactment of the open grazing prohibition law therefore, the law must be seen in a positive light as it aims at protecting the environment against degradation and pollution caused by animal dumps in the cause of grazing. So far, 210 sheep and 2359 cows have been impounded in an attempt to enforce the implementation of this law. I hereby call on Nigerian Youth in the security department to make judicious use of the opportunity.”
The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice Barr. Michael Gusa representative of the State governor in his keynote address said “Between 2013-2017 Benue state recorded 46 attacks in about 15 local government areas with destruction of properties worth an estimated value of 40 million naira. To put an end to these killings, the state government passed into law the anti-grazing law which was assented to on 22nd May 2017 and implementation commenced 6months after. However, Miyetti Allah and other Fulani groups issued several threats stating that, they were the original inhabitants of the Benue Valley. Their intentions manifested on the New year day of 2018. Former Inspector General of Police did not see this law as a solution to the killings in the state but the federal government in an attempt to contain the pressure through the Ministry of Agriculture set up RUGA settlement and colonies. The state government never adopted this as an option because Benue has no land for RUGA settlement, from November 2017-October 2020 more than 200 herdsmen have been arrested. Amidst the success recorded so far hundreds of persons displaced are still in IDP camps. I hereby appeal to the federal government to ensure that IDPs return to their homes. Meanwhile, the stakeholders should not relent on their part so that together we can make Benue peaceful again.”
Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria(MACBAN) in a goodwill message delivered by the state chairman acknowledged governor Ortom as an inherent good man who wants Benue to be at peace at all times. He said for the state to put up such an event means there is room a review of the law if necessary. MACBAN believes in dialogue and we really want to appreciate governor Ortom for always seeking our opinion but I appeal to Shehu Garba to further explain the law to the members of Miyetti Allah to further strengthen the peaceful atmosphere in the State.
For the Commissioner of Police Muhammad Garba, the police is in support of the law and is willing to do its best to ensure compliance and proper implementation.
Three papers were presented at the event and discussed appropriately under the chairmanship of Bernard Hom SAN. Associate Professor Patrick Ukase of Kogi State University Anyigba who presented the first paper “Political Economy of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, 2017” said the war has been an occurrence in almost every geographical location in the world with several agitations for peace which Benue State is not an exception. In 2017, a substantial part of the state was consumed with over 4383 persons displaced. “The law has both political and economic impacts, apart from harnessing the security of the state, this law will help reduce land shortages. The economic needs of man are one important factor of every political economy and the government has the responsibility of providing the right atmosphere for trade and investment. This law should enhance both crop and livestock farming in the state therefore, sensitizations is greatly desired. Therefore, I would recommend that there should be continuous sensitization on the law, the livestock department should create good awareness.”
In his “a critical appraisal of the implementation of the open grazing prohibition and ranches establishment law, 2017” Prof. Alphonsus Alubo SAN of the Federal University Jos acknowledged that, the law was properly written and well summarized. However, there were agitations arising from implementation of the law especially from the Miyetti Allah.
According to him, the objectives of the law make provision where livestock owned by an individual who is an indigene of a state enjoy some form waver; a situation very difficult for the Fulani community to understand. The taskforce on the other hand play a very important role in implementation of the law; ensuring adherence to the law here also, the Fulani community lament under representation, the security operatives on their part have the liberty to arrest and detain those found wanting of the law within 48 hours, this also seem incompatible with the MACBAN community so, in order to harness this situation the following Recommendations were made: there should be consistent sensitization of the masses and affected communities; the implementation of the law should be a continuous process; Miyetti Allah should turn down the retorum of threat; incentives should be made available for the herders to practice ranching; the law should also be submerged or subjected to other laws like the ECOWAS Transmat law.
Professor Vitalis Tarhule of Benue State University Makurdi who presented a paper titled “Strengthening the open grazing prohibition and ranches establishment law 2017” the law is not fully implemented/installed because the essence of the law is to prevent roaming of livestock yet, chickens, goats and pigs still roam about freely. According to him, there are a lot of problems associated with the law. The Professor of law suggested that the time frame mapped for application process for acquiring land should be within 5months; the period of land usage should be 5years and soft loans should also be made available to livestock farmers for ease of ranches establishment.
The discussions for various papers presented involved a lot of stakeholders. For Dr. Akuva, the political and economic policies of this law cannot be ignored, the political aspect of the law should permit the use of land which is an economic asset to the state.
Hon Justice Igoche said there should also be more synergy between the taskforce and the security agencies precisely and that implementation of recommendations made at the third anniversary celebration will further strengthen the law in the state.
On his part Justin Gbagir Esq represented by Iorzenda Inet expressed dissatisfaction with the disposition of the state towards the Livestock guards most especially in terms of welfare.
Ibrahim Galma said “over 100 years there has been peaceful co-existence of Fulani pastoralists and the indigenes in Nigeria where they have contributed enormously to the GDP of the country. MACBAN knows the essence of the law and appreciate the government for establishing it when it was most needed. However, critical appraisal of the implementation is a major concern as this has taken so many dimensions, we also plead that, a pilot ranch should be situated at the borders and arrest of herders and their animals should be looked into considerably.”
For the traditional rulers, His Royal Highness, Ter Tyoshin, Chief Daniel Abomtse said “we have always been ignored in the cause of enacting and implementing the law. However, when problems arise we are the first point of call. I am asking what is our role in this law? so long as we are neglected we have no role here.”
On the sidelines of the discussions, there was cutting of the anniversary cake by the Governor’s representative supported by other stakeholders at the event.
