The Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong, has called on the people of the state to disregard the misconceptions and sentiments being linked to the quest for the establishment of National Grazing Reserves in the country.
Governor Lalong, at a media parley on Saturday night as part of activities marking the first year of his administration and the All Progressives Congress-led government in Nigeria, said various policies were being introduced at various levels of government for the greater benefits of Nigerians.
He said such policies include the grazing reserve or ranches, religious regulatory bill by the Governor Nasir El-Rufai government in Kaduna State and his government’s steps to stop illegal mining in Plateau State as well as efforts to reclaim to the state’s fold BARC Farm to boost agriculture.
He appealed to the people to key into the grazing reserves bill and stand to benefit the value added gains, adding it will in no small way turn around their fortunes.
According to Lalong, the policy is designed in such a way that it places where grazing routes or ranches are established, government takes full responsibilities of securing the area for those who would want to keep animals, through which the Central Bank of Nigeria would release funds to train and assist youths, both Fulani and non-Fulani alike, to be able to carter for the animals.
He added that the precess will however take care of cattle rustling, which he described as the major cause of the conflicts among herdsmen and farmers.
Lalong commended the people of Wase, Langtang South for identifying their willingness to donate their piece of land for grazing purpose.
He encouraged people to go into agriculture, especially now that the “almighty crude oil is drying up”, stressing that as a government, apart from intensifying efforts towards ensuring that the civil service sector is given topmost attention in his government, efforts were being made to reclaim Barc farm.
He said the process of paying back to retired Admiral Murtala Nyako the sum of N1.5 billion, with which the farm was acquired, for it to be retired to the State Government.
In addition, he said an MOU has been signed with a Chinese firm for the establishment of a mineral processing company in Plateau State, as well as revive the Plateau Investment and Property Development Company to repositioning some ailing industries.
Lalong said a team for the rebuilding of the Jos Main Market has been put place and has started contacting interested partners.
He however debunked insinuations making the round that he misused the state’s bailout fund.
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