Benue Rebuffs FG's Revived RUGA Ranching Policy

• Benue State has rejected the Federal Government's National Ranching Policy, which is in its pilot implementation phase.
• The policy aims to promote ranching as an alternative to open grazing but has raised concerns about land use, zoning regulations, and cultural heritage.
• Chief Bemgba Iortyom, a PDP chieftain and Media Consultant in Benue State, has spoken out against the policy, citing its potential impact on local communities.
• The policy's implementation would require coordination between federal and state governments, which could lead to delays and inefficiencies.
• Lawyers advising clients in Benue State should monitor the implementation of the policy and be prepared to advise on potential compliance exposures.

Iortyom's rejection of the policy is a testament to the continued resistance from Benue State against policies that threaten their way of life.

Chief Bemgba Iortyom, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Benue State, the party's Media Consultant, and the party's 2027 State Assembly candidate for Mataa State Constituency, has spoken out against the Federal Government's National Ranching Policy, which is currently in its pilot implementation phase. The policy, which aims to promote ranching as an alternative to open grazing, has been met with resistance from various stakeholders in the state. Iortyom's rejection of the policy is not surprising given the controversy surrounding the RUGA settlement initiative, a precursor to the current proposal, which was previously rejected by the people of Benue State.

The RUGA initiative, which aimed to establish ranches for nomadic herders, was met with widespread criticism and protests in 2020. The policy was seen as an attempt to impose a foreign concept on local communities without their consent. Similarly, the current National Ranching Policy has raised concerns among Benue residents about the potential loss of land and cultural heritage.

Iortyom's rejection of the policy is a testament to the continued resistance from Benue State against policies that threaten their way of life.

The National Ranching Policy, which is in its pilot implementation phase, if fully implemented, would require landowners and local governments to comply with zoning regulations and ensure that ranches are established in designated areas. This raises concerns about the potential for land use conflicts and disputes between herders and farmers. Lawyers advising clients in Benue State should monitor the implementation of the policy and be prepared to advise on potential compliance exposures related to land use and zoning regulations.

The policy also has implications for the rights of local communities to manage their natural resources. The RUGA initiative, which was previously rejected by the people of Benue State, was seen as an attempt to impose a foreign concept on local communities without their consent. Similarly, the current National Ranching Policy raises concerns about the potential for cultural erasure and loss of traditional practices.

The policy's implementation would also require coordination between federal and state governments, which could lead to delays and inefficiencies in the process.

The rejection of the National Ranching Policy by Benue State is a significant development that highlights the ongoing tensions between local communities and government policies. The policy's implementation would have far-reaching consequences for land use, zoning regulations, and cultural heritage in the state.

Iortyom's rejection of the policy also underscores the importance of community engagement and participation in decision-making processes. The people of Benue State have consistently expressed their opposition to policies that threaten their way of life, and it is essential that their voices are heard and respected by government officials.

The outcome of this policy will have implications for lawyers advising clients in Benue State, who must be prepared to advise on potential compliance exposures related to land use and zoning regulations.

Lawyers advising clients in Benue State should monitor the implementation of the National Ranching Policy and be prepared to advise on potential compliance exposures related to land use and zoning regulations.

Source: Original reporting via Vanguard News