The  Governor has fought against the agenda of the federal government to begin restoration of grazing reserves in the country next month.

Governor Ortom, says the Presidency is the only one endorsing the continuation of open grazing and the return of cattle routes of the 1950s and 60s.

“We find the move not only shocking and curious but also as a misplaced priority,” the governor said through his spokesperson, Terver Akase.

Mr. Akase stated that at a time the country is worried about the worsening security situation, the federal government considers the reopening of cattle grazing routes as the only solution available to it.

“It is now clear that there is a hidden agenda which only the Presidency knows. Otherwise, all the states of the country have accepted the fact that open grazing of animals is no longer trendy and should be banned to pave way for ranching, yet, the government at the center is insistent that grazing reserves/cattle routes must be created across the country.

“On February 9, 2021, the Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) met and agreed that the current system of herding mainly by open grazing is no longer sustainable, given growing urbanization and (the) population of the country. The Forum consequently resolved to sensitize herders on the need to adopt ranching as the new method of animal husbandry.”

“The 17 Governors of Southern Nigeria rose from their meeting in Asaba on May 11, 2021, with a ban on open grazing in the entire region. The Southern Governors equally adopted ranching as the alternative method of rearing animals.”

“The Presidency has, by its endorsement of open grazing, emboldened armed herders who lay claim to all lands in Nigeria as belonging to Fulani, hence their invasion of farming communities and killing of original owners of such lands.”

Speaking on the expediency of the project, Mr.Ortom noted that routes that used to be for grazing in the past have been taken over by airports, roads, schools, hospitals, amongst others.