A group, known as the Defenders of Democracy, has raised an alarm over alleged plan by the Benue State Government to repeal the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of the state through an executive bill to the State House of Assembly.
The group also alleged that the part meant to repeal the law was smuggled into the Benue State Civil Protection Guards Establishment Law twenty-twenty-four, after deliberations at some public hearings by the State House of Assembly on the yet to be established agency.
President of the group, Amos Uchiv in a statement made available to newsmen in Makurdi further alleged that when the law when it is finally enacted, would lead to the repeal of the law establishing the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards.
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Uchiv in the statement alleged that the State Government has concluded plans to repeal the state’s Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law and replace it with a law that is meant to accommodate pastoralists and promote what he described as the government’s agenda of peaceful coexistence between herdsmen and farmers in the state.
Reacting to the allegation, Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Aondona Dajoh, said the House under his leadership cannot think of repealing the open grazing prohibition law, explaining however that there was a clause for it in the executive bill received by the Assembly.
However, when contacted, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Barrister Fidelis Mnyim denied the allegations of an executive bill seeking to repeal the open grazing prohibition and ranches establishment law, describing it as unfounded, as according to him, they may have been disparities in the soft and hard copies of the draft bill sent to the Assembly.
The Attorney General further stated that the present administration we never temper with the open grazing prohibition law, stressing that the law reflects yearnings of the people, and the Bill for the establishment of Civil Protection Guards when passed into law, will strengthen security.
