•••As Ban Order Takes Effect September
By John Ugo and Kamsi Anayo
Members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MCBAN), South East Zone, on Monday, pleaded with the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, not to ban movement of cattle on foot in parts of the state.
They said that the enforcement of the order would which takes effect from September would negatively affect their source of livelihood.
They said that if the ban is enforced, it would affect the source of survival of members of the group in the state.
The leader of the Miyetti Allah Association in the South-east zone, Gidado Siddiki, in reaction at the end of their meeting in Awka the state capital, appealed to Soludo to suspend the implementation at the moment to enable them educate their members the more, on how to go about it.
“Majority of us (Fulanis), don’t know any business more than rearing of cattle in this World. Some of us were born and bred in this rearing of cattle business here in Anambra state. We have no other place to go.
“The herders are aware that the state governor has flagged off 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 commitment to peaceful coexistence with their host communities in the State and the South-east geopolitical zone at large.
“We therefore, call on concern stakeholders including the media to help us ti beg the governor, to if possible, reverse his decision on the ban,” Siddiki stated.
Recall that Governor Soludo had during a meeting with members of Anambra State Cattle Menace Committee at the Government House, Awka, last week, declares a ban on the movement of cattle on foot in every part of the State.
Soludo while addressing the committee said the ban was in compliance with the 2021 anti-open grazing law of the State and that enforcement would begin from September, 2022.
He said now that we have a law banning open grazing, the law enforcement agents have been directed to implement it.
According to the govermor, “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.”
He stressed 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 have largely lived in harmony with herdsmen, but the herdsmen must conduct their businesses within the ambit of extant laws.
It was also gathered that 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.