The Delta State government has said it has no plans to acquire any land for ranching, as speculated in some quarters.

The clarification was made by the Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, through a statement issued on Friday in Asaba, the state capital.

Mr Aniagwu who spoke on behalf of the Delta State Government noted that ranching and livestock breeding, rearing and marketing are all private businesses.

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Hence, the government will not acquire lands for herdsmen to carry out their private business.

Aniagwu further clarified that the bill before the State House of Assembly was solely for the regulation of livestock breeding, raring and marketing in the state.

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

“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 regulates private ownership of any legitimate business,” Aniagwu said.

He called on Deltans as well as the general public to disregard reports of the state government providing land for herdsmen as an alternative to ban open grazing in the state.