From Lateef Taiwo
Benue State Governor Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia has blamed the sudden influx of Fulani herdsmen into the state on some indigenes of the state bent on frustrating his administration.
Governor Alia who made the allegations while interacting with leaders of unions and Market Associations Monday, at the old banquet hall of government house Makurdi, said security reports had it on good authority that certain highly placed personalities of Benue origin has gone to the Nigerien borders and other places to tell herders that the laws in prohibiting open grazing in Benue were relaxed, suggesting that they were responsible for the fresh influx and expressed sadness over the development.
The governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary Tersoo Kula, disclosed that essence of the interface was to intimate the unions and Market Associations on recent happenings both in the state and at the national level,as well as to appreciate them for their support for the administration, assuring the people of Benue that government is working out modalities for the herders to go back to where they came from and appealed for patience.
He charged the unions to always ensure peaceful and friendly coexistence among themselves as well as learn to resolve issues without necessarily involving courts, advising them not to equally allow outside forces use them to destabilize the government.
Governor Alia who restated commitment of his administration to the protection of lives and property of citizens, announced that the open grazing prohibition and ranches establishment law of the state is still in place, warning that any body who contravenes the law will be severely punished according to the law and called on well- meaning Benue people around the world to continue to support his administration to enable him move the state forward.
On the recent protest in some states as a result of hardship in the country, the governor disclosed that the federal government is working out modalities to reduce the hardship while on his part promised to continue to prioritize the welfare of Benue people through timely supply of fertilizer to farmers for increased food production as well as early payment of salaries and pensions among others.
Responding , comrade Stephen Lawal for National Union of Road Transport Workers,NURTW and comrade Ben Awuhe for Market Associations, appreciated the governor for bringing stability in the unions and assured him of their support.
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