By Francis Atume, Makurdi
A group known as Ebenezer Christian Relief Initiative,ECRI,has rejected the proposed pilot ranching scheme in Benue State and called on the Federal Government to instead prioritize the return of Internally Displaced Persons,IDPs, to their ancestral homes.
Chairman of the group, Dr. Augustine Akpen-Leva, made public position of the group during a press conference held yesterday in Makurdi, where he argued that there was no place for pilot ranching in the state.
Leva noted that Benue State has an existing legal framework prohibiting open grazing and providing for regulated livestock management, stressing that any initiative introduced by the Federal Government must respect state laws, the rights of landowners, the interest of farming communities and the security concerns of the people.
The immediate past Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria,CAN,Benue State chapter, said the state has no land to give for ranching, insisting that ranching and other livestock management policies known to be private businesses like farming should not be imposed on the people without adequate and genuine consultation with the State Government, traditional rulers, community leaders, farmers and other relevant stakeholders.
He clarified that the group is not opposed to lawful livestock development, but called for the protection of lives, property, farmlands and community rights.
Leva acknowledged that Governor Alia has already rejected the policy, recalling that during his thank-you tour of the state, the Governor emphasized that “there is no land in the state for pilot ranching.”
He urged the state government to remain resolute and uncompromising in defending the legitimate interest of Benue people while pursuing lawful approaches to security and development.
Leva lamented that persistent insecurity in Benue has caused enormous and unquantifiable suffering, noting that families have lost loved ones, farmlands and sources of livelihood, while numerous residents have been displaced and are living in deplorable conditions.
The chairman of the group also expressed deep concern over reported discrepancies between casualty figures released by security agencies and accounts provided by eyewitnesses and affected communities after attacks in Benue, calling for accurate and transparent reporting.
According to Leva, accurate reporting is essential for public confidence, accountability and justice.
While appealing to the Federal Government to prioritize protection of lives and property, support the resettlement of IDPs and ensure that policies affecting Benue are developed through lawful and inclusive consultation, Leva also called for unity among stakeholders, including traditional rulers, security agencies, community leaders and the church, to resist invaders with an agenda to occupy their lands.
