We Have No Land For Cattle Colony In Benue - Gov. Ortom

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue says the state government has no land for the establishment of cattle colony in the state as being advocated by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Ortom made this known while addressing State House correspondents after he led a delegation of Benue stakeholders to a closed door meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari in the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday.

He stated that even though the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Audu Ogbeh, had explained to him the meaning of cattle colony and its relevance in addressing security challenges occasioned by farmers/herdsmen conflicts, cattle ranching remained the only way out of the crisis.

“The Minister of Agriculture happens to be a son of the soil; there are many options that are put on the table. Like I told you the last time I came here I did not understand what colony was.

“Today I was privileged to sit with him and he did explain to me that a colony is about many ranches restricted in one place where the land is.

“So for us in Benue there is no 10 hectares, they are looking for 5,000 hectares. For us in Benue State we have no 10 hectares to allow that kind of thing to take place.

“So people are free. Other states have the land, we in Benue State don't.