Immediate past governor of Plateau State and senator representing Plateau North in the National Assembly, Jonah Jang, has described the issue of grazing reserve as irrelevant and one that portends grave danger to people of the state.
He therefore asked the Governor Simon Lalong to do away with the policy in the interest of people of the state.
Lalong had earlier endorsed the policy and had already concluded plans to introduce grazing reserves for herdsmen in some designated areas in the state. But in a statement issued yesterday in Jos by his aide, Comrade Clinton Garba, Jang noted that the issue has generated a lot of controversy amongst Plateau people because the government of the day had decided to play politics with issues that affect the very fabric that defines the people’s heritage, culture and their land.
He urged Plateau people to rise against any subtle attempt or otherwise, to cede their land for the purpose of satisfying the selfish and egotistical whims of a few who are hell bent on disturbing the peace.
The former governor, who berated the All Progressive Congress, APC led administration in the state for non-performance, wondered how a government which he said had not shown any interest in developing agriculture in the state in the last one year, had suddenly awoken to support a policy that is neither in the interest of Plateau people nor to the public good, except for “the outrageous contract to supply fertiliser which farmers are yet to receive.”
Jang added: “For the Federal Government which owns no cattle, to connive with willing state governors to impose a grazing reserve policy on hapless citizens who have suffered the brunt of rampaging herdsmen in the no distant past, is not only abuse of their rights but an assault on their already battered psyche.
This must be vehemently resisted.” Jang said his position on grazing reserve policy remains the same both on the floor of the senate and at any other forum that Plateau people have not land to cede the federal government or any group for grazing.
“As a people, who have experienced the atrocities of those who seek to take over their land by whatever means, Plateau people must be resilient in rejecting any law or request that seeks to tamper with their heritage, not even the involvement of the government of the day should deter them,” he warned.
He therefore called on the people to “rise up against any subtle attempt or otherwise to cede their land for the purpose of satisfying the selfish and egotistical whims of a few who are hell bent on disturbing the peace of the state.”
Also, member representing Barki Ladi/Riyom federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Istifanus Gyang in a statement signed by his media aide, Mr Chuwang Dungs, cautioned Lalong against taking actions that would be regretted in the long run, noting that its aftermath could plunge the state into crisis.
He warned that no portion of lands within his constituency should be gazetted for such grazing plan because his people vehemently disagree with it.
Credit: NationalMirror
