Catholic priests reject FG’s ranching plan for Benue

…warn against land grabbing

By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The Nigeria Catholic Diocesan Priests Association, NCDPA, Makurdi Diocese, has rejected the Federal Government’s decision to include Benue State in the pilot implementation of its National Ranching Policy, warning that the plan could threaten ancestral lands and the security of residents.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, had disclosed that the Federal Government identified five states, including Benue and the Federal Capital Territory, for the pilot implementation of the National Ranching Policy.

Reacting to the development, the NCDPA, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Rev. Fr. Joseph Beba, described Benue as an “already bleeding and targeted state,” while expressing concern over the alleged exclusion of the state government from the decision-making process.