The Benue State House of Assembly has condemned the recent killing of a number of people in Kwande local government of Benue State describing it as “unprovoked, senseless and mindless.” This was contained in a statement by Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Lubem Tiav, made available to National Record. The Speaker alleged the killings to “blood thirsty, marauding herdsmen.”
While calling on law abiding citizens of the country desirous of engaging in animal husbandry to adopt the globally accepted standard of ranching, the speaker stated that the anti-open grazing law passed in 2017 by the Benue State House of Assembly has come to stay and will not be repealed.
According to him, ranched animals are healthier and provide quality meat just as ranching offers job opportunities as the hay provided ranched animals serves as a source of income and employment for those that intend to engage in the business.
The speaker also said that globally, people practicing animal husbandry have jettisoned the pastoral way as witnessed in Argentina, Brazil and Australia because of the attendant negative consequences of pastoralism that retards socio-economic development and breeds mistrust and unhealthy rivalry for possession of lush green arable land.
