Plateau Youths Protest against Grazing Reserves, Call on Lalong to Reverse Policy

 Plateau Youths Protest against Grazing Reserves, Call on Lalong to Reverse Policy

Thousands of Plateau State youths today  matched to the state Government House in protest against planned grazing reserves in the state, accusing the state Governor, Mr. Simon Lalong, of conniving with the federal government to sell off their heritage to Fulani herders.

The therefore called on him to immediately de-list the Plateau from states that have anything to do with the policy.

This is even as the state House of Assembly, through the Deputy Speaker, Hon Yusuf Gagdi, dissociated itself from Lalong’s plan to cede any part of the state for the reserve, noting that it has not been consulted by the governor on the matter.

Also taking on Lalong, the Senator representing Plateau North in the National Assembly, Jonah David Jang, in a statement through his aide, Clinton Garuba, enjoined the governor to toe the path of honour by withdrawing from the grazing reserves policy that contravenes the wishes of the people.

Garuba said: “Rather than tell the Plateau people why the government has so much disdain for them on issues that affect their very existence, Lalong sought the usual convenient, escapist route of blaming his failure on the immediate past government; a practice which has become useful in the hands of the government of the day.

“How can a government that claims it sees his people as a priceless asset not consult with the same people before mortgaging their very heritage for grazing reserves thereby plunging the state into unprecedented protest?

“At a time when the government is suffering a huge relationship deficit with the Plateau people, it is only in its interest to stay silent and make up for the incomprehensible blunders it is committing than resorting to blame game in a bid to redeeming it's already battered image.”

Speaking to journalists, the convener of the protest, Dachung Musa Bagos, warned that  “Plateau state government must be careful not to take a decision that  would mortgage our future and that of generations yet unborn with the likely consequences of further throwing the state into chaos, as the policy has been rejected by the majority of the people of the state.”

The protesters, who were all dressed in black attires said: “We therefore wish to state unequivocally that we stand here today in protest against any form of land grabbing and exclusive privileges to any group under the guise of a government sponsored grazing reserve policy.

“We reject the unilateral decision of Lalong to enlist Plateau among states that have accepted to cede their land without first consulting with our people. It is undemocratic and unacceptable.”

The youth further said: “From time immemorial, through the period of agriculture to the period of industrial development, land has remained the most valuable property in the life of a man and his development. It is a source of wealth to those who have it and the mother of all properties. That is why we are gathered here today to demand that the governor rescind its decision on this obnoxious policy and follow the path of honour by removing Plateau form the list of states that have agreed to provide land for grazing reserves.

“Plateau has over the years, witnessed incessant attacks and killings by groups known in official cycles as ‘unknown herdsmen’ and should not be plunged into more bloodshed due to the insensitivity of the government.

“Government must thread with utmost care and caution in view of the delicate nature of the policy, and must consult widely with the people of the state before taking such decision.

“We had expected Lalong to seek support for the expansion of existing agricultural schemes in the state as a sure way of diversifying its economy and boosting the state’s economy rather than endorsing a highly controversial policy that seeks advantages for private businessmen, who are predominantly not natives of Plateau state.”

The Minister of  Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Audu Ogbe, had come out with a list of eleven states, including Plateau that have agreed to contribute lands for the purpose of establishing grazing reserves for cattle herders. But the people of the state have vehemently protested against it, describing it as anti-people.