Information reaching our newsdesk indicates that Senator Jonah Jang has condemned moves by the Plateau State Government to implement the grazing reserves policy in Plateau state.

In a strongly worded press release to newsmen in Jos (signed by his media aide, Clinton Garuba), the Senator lambasted plans to gazette large swathes of plateau lands into the grazing reserves policy. Saying the grazing reserves bill is “anti-people”, “self-serving” and “dangerous” to Plateau values, culture and heritage.

He questioned the Plateau State Government’s motive for instituting such a policy, given the sensitivity of land, farming and herding matters in Plateau state. He also expressed disappointment at how the Government has neglected Plateau farmers and the agricultural sector since assuming office – only to then foist such an anti-agricultural policy on them.

Rejecting plans for implementing the grazing policy in Plateau , Jang said “At a time like one in which we currently live, it is imperative to state in unequivocal and unambiguous terms where one stands with regard to the issue of the grazing reserve. Sen. Jonah Jang wishes to come clear to his constituents and all peace loving Plateau people that he does not and will not support any grazing reserve either on the floor of the senate or any forum/platform where the issue is discussed“.

Jang called for cross-party cooperation in standing against the bill, saying Plateau people must come together as one (regardless of party affiliations etc) to put an end to this devious plan. He said “this grazing issue has generated a lot of controversy amongst plateau people because government has decided to play politics with issues that affect the very fabric which defines the heritage of our people, their culture and their land. Plateau people (regardless of creed, party affiliation or ethnicity) must rise against any subtle attempt to cede their land for the purpose of satisfying the selfish and egotistical whims of a few who are hell bent on disturbing our collective peace”.

Full text of his press release is below:

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THE GRAZING RESERVES POLICY IS ANTI-PEOPLE AND SHOULD BE REJECTED

The attention of Senator Jonah David Jang has been drawn to a news item variously carried in the print and aired on electronic news media to the effect that the Plateau State Government has not only endorsed the issue of the grazing reserve but has gone ahead to initiate plans to designate some areas for that purpose.

At a time like one in which we currently live, it is imperative to state in unequivocal and unambiguous terms where one stands with regard to the issue of the grazing reserve. Sen. Jonah Jang wishes to come clear to his constituents and all peace loving Plateau people that he does not and will not support any grazing reserve either on the floor of the senate or any forum/platform where the issue is discussed.

The issue has generated a lot of controversy amongst plateau people because government has decided to play politics with issues that affect the very fabric which defines the heritage of our people, their culture and their land. Plateau people (regardless of creed, party affiliation or ethnicity) must rise against any subtle attempt to cede their land for the purpose of satisfying the selfish and egotistical whims of a few who are hell bent on disturbing our collective peace.

One wonders how a government which has not shown any interest in developing agriculture in the state in the last one year has suddenly woken to support a policy which is neither in the interest of plateau people nor that of public good for that matter. Except for the outrageous contract for the supply of fertilizer which farmers are yet the receive, the present government in Plateau state has not shown any seriousness towards improving on the solid foundation and successes achieved by the ASTC let alone doing anything in the sector that should warrant such outlandish support for a policy that negatively affects the very people it claims to serve.

Sen. Jang had set a good example of how those who want to rear cattle or any livestock should go about doing so by establishing a ranch for the Butura Milk farm in Bokkos. Let it be on record therefore that the distinguished senator strongly rejects any attempt by the Plateau state government to introduce any form of grazing reserves in Plateau State.

The senator calls on all Plateau indigenes who have any herds of cattle to create ranches for them within their localities and any other person who also rears cattle should do same within their locality so that nobody keeps their herd on anybody’s land. The surest way to resolving the issue of grazing reserve is to have everyone who has herds of cattle to ranch them within their locality or any acquired land of choice; this is the best practice worldwide.

For the Federal Government which owns no cattle, to connive with willing state governors to impose a grazing reserve policy on hapless citizens who have suffered the brunt of rampaging herdsmen in the no distant past is not only an abuse of their rights but an assault on their already battered psyche. This must vehemently be resisted.

Worse of all, to show disdain for their people, some state governments, that of Plateau inclusive, have gone ahead to start implementation of the policy without any form of consultation with the people. This is clear indication that the government of the day, has no vision but is only playing out the script of some masquerade somewhere. It is common sense that he who pays the piper, dictates the tune.

Why would a government which claims that its greatest achievement in the last one year has been in the area of peace on the one hand, be courting a policy that has the capacity to reverse all that gain, if any at all. It is unfortunate that plateau people have to bear the hardship meted out on them by the present government but we call on them not to despair as there is always light at the end of the tunnel.

Those who wish to further emasculate the people in spite of the untold hardship that currently pervades the land, by introducing policies and programs that create more tension should continue to do so but Senator Jang and people of like mind are on the side of the masses. The clear message Plateau people want to send to those within and outside the state is ‘PLATEAU PEOPLE SAY NO TO GRAZING RESERVES.’

As a people who have experienced the atrocities of those who seek to take over their land by whatever means, Plateau people must be resilient in rejecting any law or request that seeks to tamper with their heritage, not even the involvement of the Government of the day should deter them.

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Sen. Jonah Jang condemns plans for grazing reserve policy in Plateau