Uproar over proposed ranches in 10 states as Igbo, Middle Belt, Yoruba groups reject FG’s plan

macfranc007 June 21, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Naija news 24/7 Nurudeen Lawal

- Igbo, Middle Belt, Yoruba group rejected the federal government’s plan to build ranches in 10 states

- The coalition group under SMBLF insisted that cattle rearing is a private business which the federal government must not use public funds to establish

- It further said that those who wanted to engage in the business should approach the states where they wanted to build ranches and acquire land to build such

The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF) has rejected the federal government’s plan to establish pilot cattle ranches in 10 states, describing the decision as vexatious.

The group, which comprises Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and the Middle Belt Forum, said in a statement jointly signed by Senator Bassey Henshaw, Yinka Odumakin, Prof Chigozie Ogbu and Dr Isuwa Dogo, that SMBLF objects to government’s decision to spend public funds to build ranches.

It insisted that cattle rearing is a private business, noting that the government should not spend N178bn public funds to establish ranches for herdsmen who the forum said “are private businessmen without a record of paying taxes.”

The forum stated this in a statement on Wednesday, June 20, in response to the declaration by the National Economic Council that the government had approved a 10-year National Livestock Plan which would cost about N179bn.

Although the group commended the government for embracing ranching, it, nevertheless, insisted cattle rearing is a private business where individuals make money.

It explained that the 2014 National Conference had reasoned out the issue and recommended ranching as being done in all civilised countries.

“The decision to ignore this sensible recommendation has led to a situation where untold terror has been unleashed on farming communities with needless loss of hundreds of lives in the last three years with not a soul under prosecution and top functionaries of the administration making excuses for the killers.

“We, however, object to the FG’s decision to spend N179bn of public funds to build these ranches over 10 years starting with N70bn under this administration,” the forum said.

The SMBLF contended that rewarding the herders with public funds to build ranches would only mean that “they have killed enough to beat the country into pacification mode and this can only encourage other people to arm themselves, cause sufficient killings to get an undue concession.

“What would our society become if fishermen, farmers and people in other trades begin to cause bloodbath so the Federal Government could give them special consideration?

“We call on the federal government to shelve the idea of committing public funds to ranches and allow the owners of the business to attend to their business needs in the spirit of “I belong to everybody” mantra of the president,” the forum stated.

It further said that those who wanted to engage in the business should approach the states where they wanted to build ranches and acquire land to build such with firm commitment to abide by the rules of host communities.

The SMBLF stated: “To go ahead with the plan is to say that cattle owners own this government and that would make other segments of society to say ‘we have no inheritance in this arrangement.’”

The forum said it was unfortunate that the government was comparing the proposed ranches to the Friesland Campina of Netherlands without bothering to find out that the firm was put together by cooperatives dating back to 1879 and with annual revenue of £11bn.

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Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that some herdsmen and farmers in Niger state signed a peace pact to end clashes in the state.

The two groups in Mashegu local government area of the state said the agreement was aimed at reconciling communities that were affected by farmers/herdsmen crisis in the state.

Both farmers and herdsmen were also urged to end blocking cattle routes and destroying farmlands so as to sustain the peace in the area and guarantee food security.

Benue Elders Speak on Herdsmen Attacks | NAIJ.com TV