The Commissioner for Information in Benue, Michael Inalegwu, says the state’s anti-open grazing law remains the panacea to farmers/herders clashes in the area.

Mr Inalegwu who spoke at a news conference in Makurdi on Friday said the law has brought the crisis under control in the state.

“The law has helped to put the incessant and unprovoked herdsmen’s attack on Benue communities in check,” he said.

Mr Inalegwu stressed that open grazing was no longer fashionable across the globe, saying “The clamour for a return of the country to grazing reserves and routes in the 21st century was unheard of.

“The cattle colony and RUGA are outdated practices and cannot be the solution to the herders/farmers crises.

“The law against open grazing has proven effective in checking the murderous assault of herdsmen on Benue communities,” he said.

Mr Inalegwu also noted that anti-open grazing law had been recommended by the National Council of States, Southern Governors’ Forum, and some states in the north.

He also refuted the allegation that Governor Samuel Ortom blamed President Muhammadu Buhari for the state’s salary arrears.

The commissioner said: “The governor admitted the existence of salary arrears of between five and seven months before December 2018,  after which payment has been up-to-date.

“Benue pays the highest salary to its workers in Northern Nigeria, hence its huge wage bill.” 

(NAN)