Snake farming not a crime – Ortom

Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom has fired back at those accusing him of importing snakes into the country.

Ortom said farming is a lucrative business and as such anyone who chooses to rear snakes is allowed.

The governor told Sun that the snake story was just another story cooked by the opposition in the state to distract him.
He said, “It is unfortunate that the oppositions are the ones peddling these stories because they do not have anything against my administration. Let me clarify an issue here. There is no crime in people going into farming because it is one of the ventures that the constitution of Nigeria allows even those of us who hold public office to go into.

“It is not an offense and as far as I’m concerned there is nothing restricting the kind of farming you can do. So nobody is restricted to do whether snake farming or any other kind of farming. But to tell lies against your governor is an issue.

“Firstly I don’t operate a snake farm. I’m aware that the venom of snakes is also ingredients for anti snake venom. People do this and make money. But associating me with snake farm just to castigate and cast aspersions against me is targeted at portraying me in bad light. Those containers of snakes and reptiles that were imported and seized in Calabar were not even destined for Benue State.

“So how do you associate that with Ortom and Benue State because you want to tarnish my image? So the opposition should be talking about issues so that together we can build the state. They can be there tomorrow if God permits, but I know that God will not permit that. So they are wasting their time with such lies.”

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