The Benue government says plans are on the way to conduct a livestock census to end violent clashes between farmers and herders.

Governor Hyacinth Alia’s special assistant on Livestock Development and Transboundary Animal Disease Control, Aondoakaa Asambe, announced this on Monday after assessing abattoirs and livestock markets in Makurdi.

Mr Asambe said it was expedient for the government to conduct a livestock census to know all livestock in the state and their owners.

He said the governor was desirous of turning around the fortunes of the livestock industry in the state.

According to him, all livestock establishments in the state will be resuscitated in the middle and long term, while production will step up with improved livestock breeds.

“Conducting a livestock census or an animal census comes with a whole lot of benefits. The major one being that it helps to control the incessant clashes between farmers and herders that we have been having in the state.

“It will also control animals rustling. By the time the animal census is conducted, we will be able to trace all animals to their owners because they will all have tags. All animals coming to abattoirs must also have tags, so in this case, crime will be reduced within the industry to the barest minimum,” he said.

Mr Asambe expressed concern that all abattoirs visited within the Makurdi metropolis were below the minimum standards for slaughterhouses.

He stated that none had access to potable water or good roads and had failed to meet basic hygiene standards.

He said the state government was determined to bring serious transformation into the industry and urged stakeholders to support the government in succeeding.

Austin Ugwu, chairman of the Meat Shop Owners Association Makurdi branch, appealed to the government to provide water and access roads to the abattoirs.

Mr Ugwu, who spoke at the Wurukum abattoir, said they also need a good working environment to carry out their businesses. 

(NAN)