The Benue State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has rejected the Federal Government’s proposed pilot ranching programme in the state, insisting that there is no available land for the initiative.
The acting chairman of the association, Rev. Jonathan Terwase Ugbede, disclosed this in Makurdi, saying the church and its members were dissatisfied with the proposal.
Ugbede argued that Benue was already facing pressure on its available land due to its growing population, making it unreasonable for ancestral lands to be allocated to the Federal Government for ranching.
He said, “Land has not been available anywhere in the state and the Church in Benue does not accept the pilot ranching.
“No government, including Benue State, should contemplate giving the ancestral lands to the Tinubu Federal Government for invasion in the form of the proposed ranching expected to be a private business.”
The CAN chairman also criticised the proposed programme, arguing that it appeared to undermine the existing state law prohibiting open grazing and providing for ranching as a private business.
He expressed concern that public funds could be used to acquire lands belonging to displaced residents currently living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps for the establishment of ranches.
Ugbede questioned why greater priority was not being given to the return of displaced persons to their ancestral communities so they could reclaim their lands and rebuild their lives.
Meanwhile, the Benue CAN chairman commended the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the 5 Division of the Nigerian Army in the state.
He said the move was a welcome development that could strengthen security operations, help combat insurgency and create an environment conducive to peace and development in Benue State.
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