ibironkeeniola 
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) has charged the Federal and State Governments to restrict the free movement of foreign livestock into the country.
The body urged the governments to create incentives that will encourage herders to embrace ranching.
Its requests were contained in a communiqué issued at the end of an event to commemorate the third anniversary of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of Benue State, 2017.
The event was themed “Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law, 2017: A Recipe for Security and Peaceful Co-Existence.”
The communique also called for synergy between the government and cattle rearers, to ensure better herding practices.
It read, “There should be smooth operation in the Federal Government through its agencies to ensure the security of lives and property of the people.
“This will also enable Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to return to their respective communities and carry on with their economic activities.
“Individuals and associations such as Miyetti Allah Kautal Hore, must tone down their acerbic rhetorics, which rather than help calm situations, have exacerbated tensions.
“Only a symbiotic relationship with the government, which has powers to make laws under the Constitution for the good governance of the State, can produce the much-needed harmony and conducive climate for the rearing of livestock in Benue State and Nigeria in general.”
On his part, Secretary-General of MACBAN, Alhaji Baba Gadzama, asked for specific amendments to the Benue Grazing Law.
The communique was signed by the Gadzama, represented by a Director at the National Headquarters of MACBAN, Alhaji Adamu Toro; Chairman of the session, Mr. Bernard Hom, and Emmanuel Agbakor of the Benue State Monitoring Committee.
SOURCE: AGRONIGERIA