Senior Special Assistant to Governor Samuel Ortom on Animal Husbandry, Shehu Tambaya, has warned all herders, strongly, to obey the recently amended Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law or they would be made to pay the stipulated fine of N50,000 for each impounded cow.
Tambaya who stated this while speaking to our correspondent commended the state government and the House of Assembly for amending of the law saying the meagre N2000 fine did not deter trouble makers.
He therefore assured that with the recent amendment of the law which provides for stiffer penalties for offenders, those who are in the habit of always flouting the law would, henceforth, have a rethink before doing so.
He said the law is not against any group, either animal rearers or crop farmers but only seeks to ensure a peaceful coexistence among all resident in the state irrespective of tribe, religion or creed.
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“The law as amended, is not targeted at any particular race as being insinuated in some quarters because it provides penalties for both cattle rustlers and crop farmers. It is no respecter of any person.
“This means that whoever violates the law will have to face the dare consequences. For instance, the fine for each impounded cow which used to be N2,000 only is now N50,000. So, you can imagine the financial implication if 10 cows belonging to only one person is impounded.”
Tambaya advised those who are in the habit of violating the law to have a change of heart or go to other states where there is no such law, warning that anyone who goes against the law would face the music.
“That is why we are calling on livestock rearers to obey this law by ranching their animals if they must stay in Benue or else, they can seek solace in other states where the law is not operational.”
