Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has urged residents to remain calm following the Federal Government’s proposal to establish pilot ranches in Benue and other states.
The governor said the proposed ranching initiative should be approached with caution and through constructive engagement among the Federal Government, state authorities, farmers, herders and other stakeholders.
Alia stressed the need for any ranching programme to respect the rights of host communities and take into consideration the peculiar security and agricultural realities of each state.
He called on residents to avoid actions or statements capable of creating tension over the proposal, particularly given the history of farmer-herder conflicts in parts of the country.
The governor maintained that Benue remained committed to policies that protect farmers, promote food production and address security concerns affecting rural communities.
He said meaningful consultation with stakeholders would be necessary to ensure that any Federal Government intervention is properly implemented and does not create additional disputes.
Alia urged traditional rulers, community leaders, farmers, herders and other stakeholders to support peaceful dialogue and avoid confrontation.
He assured residents that the state government would continue to engage the Federal Government on policies affecting the interests and security of the people of Benue.
The governor also reiterated his administration’s commitment to finding sustainable solutions to insecurity and promoting peaceful coexistence among communities across the state.
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