Simon Lalong, the Plateau State governor, on Sunday, February 4, 2018 in Jos, the state capital, stated categorically that he never accepted or endorsed the creation of grazing reserves or cattle colonies as being erroneously insinuated and peddled by the opposition.
Addressing Christians during the 3rd Annual Plateau Prayer Day organised by the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Plateau State Chapter in conjunction with the Government House Chapel, held at Jos Rwang Pam Township Stadium, Lalong said his administration has not embraced the concept of Grazing Reserves or Cattle Colonies as solution to the series of clashes between farmers and herdsmen in the state.
“It is therefore worthy of note that there is nothing on the part of this administration like accepting or endorsing Grazing Reserves or Grazing Bill or Cattle Colonies related to land grabbing or seizure to be given to a particular group of people by the Plateau State Government as being erroneously insinuated and propagated by the opposition in the state”.
Governor Lalong, however, accused the immediate past governor of the state Senator Jang of establishing grazing reserves in the state with approved budgetary allocations made for their development.
“Contrary to beliefs and propaganda by some people who have chosen to politicise this issue, this government has never initiated the establishment or creation of grazing reserves. Rather, we inherited a Gazette of April, 2009 by my immediate predecessor that recognized and established grazing reserves in Plateau State with approved budgetary allocations made for their development,” he said.
Lalong pledged his administration’s determination in addressing the outdated grazing issues for the overall benefit of Nigerians, especially in relation to the intractable violent conflicts between farmers and herders as well as cattle rustling.
Read more at Authority
