By FRANCIS ONOIRIBHOLO

Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has declared that he would not be coerced into signing Edo Anti-Open Grazing Law without wide consultations with the people, just as he charged the state people to separate killers herdsmen from the genuine ones.

Obasaki made the declaration while presiding over a Stakeholders Town Hall meeting on the proposed Anti-Open Grazing Law held in Benin City.

According to the governor, this stakeholders meeting has become imperative to brainstorm because the state government will not want to rely on needless arguments by some individuals who are intolerant of herders to put up a law that would be difficult to implement in the state.

Obaseki assured that a draft copy of the proposed Edo Anti-Grazing Bill would be sent to the State House of Assembly for legislative consideration before the end of October 2021.

“I don’t want to sign a law and tomorrow it becomes a piece of paper, this is why there is a need to separate bandits from genuine ones without sentiments or hate.

Hon. Marcus Onobun, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, in his brief remark assured of legislative support, adding that the Town Hall meeting has doused the tension of concerned Citizens of the State.

Mr Sa’ad Ahmed, Chairman of Cattle Dealers and Rearers Association of Nigeria in his remark said, 54,000 cows representing 75 per cent of 72, 000 cows that are slaughtered by registered Abattoirs and consumed by residents in Benin City yearly is sourced outside Edo State.

Sa’ad who did not give the statistics of the quality of beef consumed in other parts of the State explained that a significant number of the estimated beef that is consumed in Benin City are bought by individuals and groups for marriage Celebrations, burials, Birthdays and other events.

He revealed that 45 per cent of the beef consumed in Benin City is reared in the State while a significant number of the cows that are bred in the State find their way back to the northern part of Nigeria where they are either sold or consumed.

Similarly, the State chairman of the Cattle Breeders Association better known as Miyyeti Allah, Alhaji Mohammed Fosal, exonerated the indigenous Funali ethnic group who are into Livestock farming from reported killings and being responsible for farmers and herders conflicts in some parts of Edo State.

Fosal who spoke through an interpreter alleged that indigent Fulani ethnic groups in the State are peaceful, but noted that their counterparts from Kogi, Abuja, with criminal tendencies are allegedly responsible for kidnappings, robberies and Cattle rustling.

Also speaking, Alhaji Abdulfatai Enabulele, the Chief Imam of Benin Central Mosque in Benin City and the State Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Bishop Oriname Oyonnude-Kure, represented by Reverend Oriakhi David, appealed to relevant authorities in the State to carry out registration of nomadic herdsmen and Cattle breeders in the State.

They also called on the traditional rulers and security agencies in the State to be alive to their responsibilities and challenged Livestock owners not to only be concerned about profiteering, but be committed to due diligence in the event of destruction of economic crops by herders.

The Representatives of the youths, Civil Society Organizations, the Nigeria Bar Association, Persons Living With Disabilities and other Stakeholders also submitted copies of the Memoranda at the meeting.

Bashir Kadiri, retired Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Agriculture, delivered a paper on ‘Edo State Livestock Initiative where he examined the threats, opportunities and challenges that may be associated with the proposed Anti-Open Grazing Law.

The Secretary to Edo State Government, Barrister Osarodion Ogie, a Benin based Civil society activist, Mr Austin Osakue, attended the programme. (Daily Independent)

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