By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos—The Speaker of Plateau State House of Assembly, Mr. Peter Azi, has said the House will look into the Bill seeking the ban of open grazing with a view to “passing the Bill that will stand the test of time.”

The Speaker gave the assurance when youths from the 17 local government areas of the state, yesterday, submitted a Bill to the state Assembly, seeking a ban on open grazing in the state.

The youths, on the platform of Plateau Youths G17 Peace and Progressives Forum, said they believed that the ban on open grazing will curb the incessant killings as well as herders/farmers clashes bedevilling the state.

While presenting the bill, the youth leader, Dachung Bagos, told the Speaker and other members of the House that “we are a peaceful people concerned about Plateau issues. We are seeking what will bring solution to the killings in the hinterland by herders.

“In the last one year, more than 100 people have been killed; schools, clinics, churches and farmlands destroyed by the herders. We want a ban on open grazing on the Plateau and sanction for those who will go against the law.”

The group kicked against the proposed government involvement in the ranching policy, saying “cow rearing is a private business, and ranches should be acquired by private individuals not government acquiring five hectares of land in each local government to give to herders.

“It is unfair to use tax payers’ money to run private business. We expect this bill to be passed so that an average Plateau man will have reprieve from the trauma of brutal killings by herders.”