TheCable

The Delta government says it will not acquire land for the purpose of ranching in the state.

Charles Aniagwu, Delta commissioner for information, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.

The development comes weeks after the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association asked for 30,000 square metres of land for cattle grazing in 25 LGAs in Delta state.

The request was made at a public hearing organised in June, by the Delta house of assembly joint committee on special bills and agricultural and natural resources.

Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Delta, had also urged cattle rearers to cooperate with the federal and state governments on the implementation of ranching systems.

“Ranching will be in the best interest of all Nigerians, because it will improve the family income and reduce insecurity in the land,” he had said.

Making clarifications on the availability of land for grazing, Aniagwu said ranching is a private businesses, and as such, it isn’t the responsibility of the state government to provide land for such purpose.

“Contrary to the misinformation in the public, the state is not acquiring any land for the purpose of establishing ranches,” he said.

“Ranching, like any other business, is a private concern and, therefore, anyone interested in establishing ranches in any part of the state is free to acquire land for the said purpose.

“The acquisition should be done in accordance with relevant laws that regulate private ownership of any legitimate business.”

He added that the bill before the state house of assembly is to ensure that livestock breeding in the state is regulated.