He told members of the Miyatti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, FCT chapter, at a meeting on Monday that herdsmen must move their cattle out of the FCT because there is no way such animals could co-habit with the residents.
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, has served a quit notice on cattle grazers within the metropolis as well as on major entrance and exit highways into the city centre.
He told members of the Miyatti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, FCT chapter, at a meeting on Monday that herdsmen must move their cattle out of the FCT because there is no way such animals could co-habit with the residents.
As a substitute, the FCT administration has identified new grazing reserves spanning some 33,485 hectares to cater for the cattle breeders’ requirements
The FCT Minister, at the meeting on Monday, stressed that even for safety reasons, cattle should not roam streets and highways in the city, and that isn’t because the government just wants to prevent cattle breeders from rearing cattle in the Territory.
He told the Miyatti Allah association members: “You have to understand that when the Abuja Environmental Protection Board says cattle should not roam the city, it is not because they want to prevent cattle breeders from rearing cattle in the FCT. Basically, it is for safety. It is for safety of your cattle and, above all, safety of the citizens.”
The minister added: “In a modern city, it is not possible for animals and vehicles to move together on the roads because this could cause accidents which in some cases could be fatal, and it is our duty to protect lives and property.”
He implored the association to nominate some of their members to serve in the Ministerial Task Team on Environment under the chairmanship of Squadron Leader Abdullahi Adamu Monjel, to ensure that there is smooth communication between the FCTA and them.
“You can give him some number of educated young men in your communities who can be part of some of these committees, so that they will be able to communicate,” he added.
Malam Bello explained that the FCT administration has moved to identify new grazing reserves that will cater for the cattle breeders’ needs. “A total of 33,485 hectares have already been earmarked for grazing reserves to cater for about 7 million heads of cattle, comprising Paikon Kore - 8,500 hectares, Karshi - 6,000 hectares, Kawu in Bwari - 9,000 hectares and Rubochi in Kuje - 9,985 hectares,” he said.
Malam Bello noted that the critical issue is compensation for farmers from which the reserves were acquired, assuring that his administration would work with the National Assembly to resolve that amicably.
According to him, the FCT administration may even reach out to host communities to work out a situation where compensation does not have to be in monetary terms because of the large expanse of land involved.
“Nothing should prevent the communities that are there and the Fulani living together, because you don’t always have to move people away,” he said.
The minister thanked Miyatti Allah for its support to the FCT administration and indeed the Federal Government, urging them to continue to robustly support the government of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking earlier, Chairman of the FCT chapter of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Malam Yahaya Isah, promised to continue to interface with the government to promote peaceful co-existence.
He assured that his association would enlighten its members not to breed their cattle on the streets and highways of Abuja again.
