Sen. Ogbinna Ogba (PDP Ebonyi Central) said nobody or group could oppose Federal Government in its bid to establish cattle ranches across the country to stem clashes between herdsmen and farmers.
Ogba told newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday that whatever decision the government took would be in the best interest of the country as it would ensure that there was peace.
He spoke at the backdrop of reported rejection by the herdsmen of the government’s plan to establish ranches and their insistence on having grazing reserves and routes instead.
“This issue is a very serious issue that needs serious attention. It is not whether they want it, what is important is what does the Federal Government want to do to ensure the safety of the Nigerian people.
“If the government does not do it and succumb to allowing the herdsmen to determine what happens, it will not augur well for the country. The Federal Government should put its feet down and find a lasting solution to the problem whether it favours the herdsmen or anybody at all.
“What is important is what will be done to guarantee the safety of the populace,” he said.
The senator added that grazing reserves or routes was just another way of sustaining the violent attacks and the reprisals.
On a purported bill to establish the grazing reserves which is said to be in the House of Representatives, he said that he would not support such a bill if it came to the Senate.
“I have not seen the Bill and I do not think any senator will mention such thing on the floor of the senate,” he said.
During a public hearing at the Senate on Tuesday, the Association of Cattle Rearers (Miyetti Allah) refused the government’s proposal to establish cattle ranches.
They insisted on having grazing routes and reserves. However, representatives from other geo-political region backed government plan to establish ranches.
At the hearing, the Igbo group represented by Ohanaeze Ndi’Igbo, said that the herdsmen should be responsible for the establishment of the ranches and not the government
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