By Dan Ekah
Benue State Government on Wednesday resolved to set up a technical committee to analyze the National Livestock Transformation Plan in order to form its own livestock development plan.
This is part of the resolutions reached at a meeting of stakeholders at the Benue Peoples House Makurdi held to deliberate on the National Livestock Transformation Plan and its implementation.
The stakeholders acknowledged that some aspects of the national plan were anathema to peace in Benue while other aspects could be adopted by the state saying the technical committee should be able to decipher and select the good ones for implementation.
They urged the Federal Government to initiate action on the rehabilitation of victims of herders invasion in Benue state pointing out that only such measures would take away the distrust of the people over any action of the Federal government on livestock issues.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Sustainable Development Goals and NEPAD, Dr. Mrs. M Dura who convened the meeting had reported that the strategy document had taken cognizance of earlier objections by stateholders in the state on some aspects of the plan especially the issue of grazing reserves.
She said the new document also took cognizance of the Benue open grazing prohibition and ranch establishment law and the need to find succor for victims of the invasion of Benue State by herdsmen.
A former federal Director of Livestock, Dr. Nyamgee had outlined that the transformation plan is anchored on five pillars: financing, developing state and local level peace architecture, humanitarian relief and early recovery, human capital development and crosscutting issues such as gender, youth, research, information and strategic communication.
He said already 100 billion naira has been released for implementation in the seven pilot states of Benue, Zamfara, Plateau, Adamawa, Taraba, kaduna and Nasarawa while benefitting states are to contribute 20% of whatever accrues to their state in cash or kind.
Dr. Nyamgee further said donor countries and organisations are also on the sideline to contribute to the success of the project saying some states not among the pilot states are already angling to be involved because of its multiplier benefits.
The stateholders were drawn from traditional rulers, the clergy, community development associations, members of the State Executive Council as well as the state House of Assembly, the Nigerian Br Association, Farmers Associations, Mzough U Tiv, Ochetoha K’Idoma, Om’nyi Igede and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association.
The National Livestock Transformation strategy is domiciled in the office of the Vice President, yemi Osinbanjo.