There is growing concern in Bayelsa State over the continued threat posed by herders operating in several parts of the state.

The Bayelsa State government had enacted the anti-grazing law in 2021 making it an offence punishable by law for anyone engaging in open- grazing.

The state government had followed it up by setting up a task -force team to ensure full implementation of the law.

However, after a few arrests and photo appearances by the committee, the law was repeatedly breached, with farm owners in Zarama/ Okordia, Ogbia, and Ekpetiama, among others, complaining of herders destroying their crops.

The Bayelsa State Elders Forum recently complained about the threat posed by herders to the well-being of farmers in the state at a meeting attended by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Nimbofa Ayawei.

Ayawei who represented Governor Douye Diri in the meeting assured the Elders of government?s collaboration with security agencies to tackle the menace and ensure the safety of farmers and communities.

Also, during the 146th session of the State Executive Council, the deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo who presided over the meeting in his capacity as the acting governor noted that concerns raised over the encroaching of farmlands and destruction of crops by cattle rearers.

Ewhrudjakpo who pointed out that the anti-grazing law was still in operation directed the task force on livestock management in the state to operationalise all machinery to ensure that herders operate within the ambits of the law.

The governor, Senator Douye Diri who recently resumed from his three-week annual leave also weighed in on the matter while addressing the 148th State Executive Council meeting, warning against the recalcitrance attitude of cattle herders.

He therefore directed all relevant government officials to ensure that the anti-open grazing was implemented, adding that community leaders should work with state officials to ensure that the law was implemented to the fullest.

Diri while noting that the state cannot afford a situation where farmlands were been destroyed by herders, stressed that Bayelsa was open for business but the laws protecting all residents of the state must be obeyed.

?? We banned open grazing in this state in 2022 and it remains banned. It is a crime for any herder to destroy any farm. All relevant agencies are hereby directed that no herder should be allowed into our bushes. By our laws, no herder has the authority to destroy our farmlands. I call on our brothers from the North to know that in Bayelsa State you cannot do open grazing.

?? All community leaders are hereby called upon to ensure that within their domain, no cattle herder is found involved in open grazing. Our laws against open grazing must be implemented to the fullest??. (Daily Sun)

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