A coalition of 25 ethnic nationalities in the Middle Belt has given the Plateau State House of Assembly two weeks to initiate a bill against open grazing and six months for it to be passed into law for implementation.

The directive was given during a meeting with the legislators in the office of the Speaker, Plateau State House of Assembly, Peter Azi. The coalition also protested against the lawmakers’ silence on the ongoing killings in some parts of the Bassa, Barkin Ladi and Riyom Local Government Areas of the state.

The President of the Middle Belt Youth Council, Emma Zopmal, who led the groups, shed more light on the meeting in an interview with newsmen.

But the lawmakers said contrary to insinuations, they had done a lot, including setting up a security commission, which had led to the peace previously being enjoyed in the state.

The assembly members, who attended the meeting, included the Deputy Speaker, Shehu Saleh; Chairman, Committee on Public Accounts and Petition, Peter Gyedeng; and Sunday Malo Muchen (representing Bokkos constituency).

Also in attendance were Alice Dimlong Asaije (representing Pankshin North constituency); Simon Kudu Ahile (representing Rukuba/Irigwe constituency); and Nyam Pam Dareng.

Other representatives of organisations, who attended the meeting, included the President, United Nations Youth Assembly (representing North Central), Dewan Gabriel; Coordinator, MBYC (Taraba State), Notsa Khamofu; and President, Berom Youth Moulders Association, Choji Daluyp Chuwang.

Zopmal said, “Lives have been lost and we have not heard any comment from the Plateau State House of Assembly over the incessant killings. It is the duty of the lawmakers to initiate what to do about legislation that would guarantee protection of lives and property.

“Our people want to go into agriculture, they are under threat in the farms. Plateau State House of Assembly should therefore enact a bill that should ban open grazing by Fulani herdsmen.

“We gave the Plateau State House of Assembly two weeks to initiate the process for the enactment of a bill against open grazing and six months for its implementation. We told them that within two weeks, the bill should be initiated, and within six months, it should be passed into law. We are engaging them; already, some members of the House of Assembly have already started drafting bills. So, we as a people are also drafting our own bills.”

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Anti-grazing bill: M/Belt groups give Plateau Assembly two-week ultimatum