No need for anti-grazing law in Kogi – Bello

 

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has stated that the state has no need of anti-grazing law as the cattle colonies embark upon will make grazing outside the designated area unnecessary.
Bello who stated this on Friday during a visit to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, where he declared that the state has enmarked 15000 hectares of land for the cattle colonies programme of the federal government.
He said it was necessary that the State provides the land for the colonies and contribute to ending the frequent clashes between farmers and herders.
Bello added that his visit to the ministry was to personally hand over the letter for the 15,000 hectares to the Minister, adding that 5,000 hectares of land was set aside in Adavi local government, while the remaining 10,000 will be located in Ajaokuta local government in the State.
According to him “I am here once again visiting this ministry and the Minister in continuation of our effort as a state government to key into the programme of the Ministry in terms of the Cattle Colony otherwise known as the conglomeration of cattle ranches programme of the Federal Government.
“We came here some time ago, indicating our interest and our readiness to participate in this programme. Am here to inform the Minister and the Ministry, that the people of Kogi state have keyed into the programme 100 per cent.
“We are willing and ready to pilot the programme in Kogi State and as such our people has been well sensitised, and educated about what this programme is all about.
“Consequent upon that, we have been able to earmark and secure 15,000 hectares of land to takeoff this particular programme.
“We have 10,000 hectares in Ajaokuta Local Government, and 5,000 hectares in Adavi Local Government, the local community have been well sensitised, and willingly, they are ready to key in. These lands have been secured and as such, am here to convey this message in a written letter to Ministry and we will be waiting for your action.
“We are very confident that this is going to add to the economic well-being of our people, the state and the country at large.
Chief Audu Ogbeh while responding, was optimistic that other states will key in.
He reiterated the federal government had no plans of seizing peoples land to give to the herdsmen. He added that the local communities will also participate in the programme.
He said Nigeria have over 19.5 million cattle’s explaining that if individual were to establish ranches, each state will have about 1,711 aches each, which is not attainable.
“The cattle’s subsector contributes 6% to the GDP and can not be left unattended to,” he said.

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