May 12, (THEWILL) – The anti-open-grazing, prohibition law enacted by Benue state government is to experience a setback, as the governorship aspirant in Benue state on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Mathias Byuan, has promised to create grazing reserves at the border area in Guma local government of Benue state and Nasarawa state, in order to rekindle the unity between farmers and herders.
The Guber hopeful, who made the disclosure while unveiling his blueprint entitled, “Benue Transformation Agenda”, at NUJ House Makurdi, said the age long peaceful coexistence between farmers and cattle rearers where when crops were destroyed by stray cows, owners were made to pay a token rather than hostilities would be restored.
According to him, apart from establishing a cattle market in the state, such grazing reserves would step up Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for the state.
He said he has a projected revenue target of N33,950,000.000 in Benue North East from mango juice, orange and yam flour, among others.
In Benue North West, Dr Byuan explained that if given the opportunity as governor in next year’s general election, he will generate N32,022,000.00 from tomatoes, soya beans, chaff for animal feeds, groundnut and melon, while the sum of N23,319,000.000 will come from Benue South through cassava processing, chips, palm oil and Gari, among others.
“Training of judges, lawyers, upgrading of courts for a conducive working environment would be given priority attention.”
The guber hopeful also promised to build a flyover at Wurukum roundabout, Makurdi, as well as rehabilitate 23 township roads in the state; while new markets will also be built for the comfort of traders and will improve electricity supply in the state.
The APC chieftain listed other areas of priority attention to include tapping of mineral resources in the local government areas, free education at primary, secondary and tertiary levels and proper funding of hospitals in the state.
Doctor Byuan promised to build Cargo Airport in Gboko and partner the Nigerian Airforce, to build one airport beside their own in Makurdi and call on APC delegates to support him to secure the party ticket during its primaries to fly its flag.
He said Lobi Stars football club and facilities at the Aper Aku township stadium, will be upgraded to a higher standard, with the revival of the moribund All Secondary Schools Games, so as to discover hidden talents from the grassroot.
