Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has assured residents that the Federal Government will not force cattle ranching on the state following its inclusion in the pilot ranching programme.
Alia gave the assurance in Makurdi at the weekend after swearing in newly appointed commissioners, amid concerns generated by the Federal Government’s announcement listing Benue among states selected for the pilot scheme.
The governor urged residents to remain calm, saying the announcement did not necessarily mean that cattle ranching would be established in the state.
“It doesn’t necessarily mean that we are going to have any ranch in the state,” Alia said.
He explained that livestock was a broad term covering animals such as goats, sheep and birds, and was not limited to cattle.
“Livestock is quite generic. So even ordinarily, we have a state law prohibiting open grazing in the state and it is still in force. So it is still in practice,” he said.
Alia said the state had historically designated certain areas for livestock-related activities, citing Kyogen, which he said was mapped out during the administration of former Governor Aper Aku.
“During Aper Aku regime, we had specific places that were mapped out for ranching. We have areas like Kyogen, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that we are even getting cows to Kyogen,” he explained.
The governor also disclosed that areas in Vandeikya had been mapped out for the ranching of goats and sheep.
He stressed that livestock development in the state could focus on other animals without necessarily involving cattle, particularly if residents did not want cattle ranching.
“If we don’t want cows, meaning if the people of the state do not want the ranching of cows here, the Federal Government is not forcing the state to have cow ranching,” Alia said.
The governor appealed to residents who had expressed concern over the Federal Government’s announcement to remain calm, assuring them that his administration would continue to protect the interests of the people and preserve peace in the state.
“Nobody is forcing anything on anybody, on any state at all,” he said, describing President Bola Tinubu as “a peaceful man” who would not force Benue to implement a policy against the wishes of its people.
Alia also cautioned residents against relying on incomplete information circulating on social media, urging them to seek clarification from relevant authorities before drawing conclusions.
“If you have relevant questions, ask the relevant questions, ask the authorities the questions you have,” he advised.
He reiterated that his administration was people-oriented and would not impose policies on residents against their wishes.
“This is the government of the people. It’s not Alia’s government,” he said.
The governor further appealed to those who felt agitated or disenfranchised by the development to remain calm and avoid actions that could undermine the relative peace in the state.
“This is a people-oriented government, and everything we’re doing must be people-directed,” Alia said.
