By Louis Iba
Governor of Plateau State, Mr. Simon Lalong, says his administration was taking extra steps to invest in its solid minerals, agricultural and tourism sectors in a bid to boosts internal generated revenue (IGR) in the face of dwindling allocations from the Federal Government.
Speaking with journalists at the General Aviation Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Plateau State Governor, said his administration had also decided to introduce ranches as a means of developing and growing livestock in the state and also end the crisis between farmers and herdsmen.
“What is on in Plateau State is the policy on ranches, which is quite different from grazing,” said Lalong. “Although all of them have been there a long time ago; grazing has been there and ranches have been there, owned by individuals and organisations, but the security problem we have across the nation and the need o diversify into agriculture have made it necessary for the production of livestock in large quantities.
“So you cannot leave that to only traditional grazing. That is why we introduced this policy of having ranches. The ranches are everybody’s business for growing livestock and not restricted to any ethnic group,” Lalong added.
According to him, by prioritising agricultural development, exploitation of solid minerals, tourism development and adopting an effective tax system, the state stands a better chance to grow it’s IGR at a faster pace to meet its soio-economic commitments to citizens.