The Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, had last month banned movement of cattle on foot in every part of the state.
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MCBAN), South-East zone, has stated that the ban on the movement of cattle on foot in every part of Anambra State would affect its members’ source of survival in the state, if it is eventually enforced.
The Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, had last month banned movement of cattle on foot in every part of the state.
Soludo, who had met with members of Anambra State Cattle Menace Committee at the Government House, Awka, said the ban was in compliance with the 2021 anti-open grazing law of the state, adding that enforcement would begin from September.
“Now that we have a law banning open grazing, the law enforcement agents have been directed to implement it. Though the law has been in existence since almost one year ago, cattle rearers keep parading certain areas in the state in contravention to the law,” Soludo had said.
A former governor of the state, Willie Obiano had assented to the Cattle and Other Livestock Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Bill of Anambra State in 2021, but failed to enforce the ban.
Soludo, while speaking at the meeting, said that his administration would ensure the implementation of the law by September.
He applauded members of the Anambra State Cattle Menace Committee for their devotion to duty, saying that Anambra people havd largely lived in harmony with herdsmen, but the herdsmen must conduct their businesses within the ambit of extant laws.
However, the leader of the association, South-East zone, Gidado Siddiki during the group meeting held in Awka, on Monday begged the governor to suspend the implementation at the moment to enable them to educate their members more on how to go about it.
“Majority of us (Fulani) don’t know any business more than the rearing of cattle in this world. Some of us were born and bred in the business of rearing cattle in Anambra State. We have no other place to go.
“The herders are aware that the state governor has flagged off a massive tree planting exercise in the 181 communities as part of measures to control the spread of gully erosion in the state, and as law-abiding citizens, we have cautioned all our members and equally urged them to protect the trees in their various host communities.
“Our members have remained committed to peaceful coexistence with their host communities in the state and the South-east geopolitical zone at large. We, therefore, called on concern stakeholders including the media to help us beg the governor, if possible, to revise his decision on the ban,” Siddiki added.