Jang sponsoring grazing reserve protests in Plateau – Lalong

 

  Lalong

Plateau State governor, Simon Lalong, on Friday accused his immediate past predecessor, Jonah Jang, of sponsoring street protests in the state against a non-existent plan to establish grazing reserves.

He made the accusation while speaking to State House correspondents after‎ meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

According to him, the anti-grazing reserves protests were futile as the relevant stakeholders had already agreed on ‎the establishment of cattle ranches in its place.

He explained that the ranches would be funded by the state and federal governments, while it would be open to all those who are interested in cattle rearing and not just for the Fulanis alone.

He said: “Well the protests were undertaken by few ethnic groups. We have done a lot of consultations from traditional rulers to religious leaders to youth organizations. They all accepted that we should adopt ranching in Plateau State. What they are protesting is grazing reserve but we are not talking about grazing reserves, what we are talking about is ranches. So those who attended the workshop knew what was done.

“This is the Presidency, let me say it and I’m going to publish it, the man who introduced it and is causing that confusion is Jonah Jang who incidentally was the person that introduced grazing reserves on the Plateau with a gazette in 2009. That is the gazette I am going to publish.

“If you said if we have to bring peace in Plateau State you have to introduce grazing reserves and grazing routes, why is he turning round again and instigating people against what is being done, and trying to give an impression that it is the President that is introducing it?

“It is not the President, it is an option to every state to key into the concept of grazing ranch.”

The governor said he has already set up a 14- man committee on ranches, which traditional rulers, religious leaders and the youth organizations have already adopted.