The Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, has signed into law a bill banning open grazing of cattle and other livestock across the state.
The governor, with the signing of the bill, joins a similar action taken by some of his counterparts in the southern region of the country.
Governor Obiano assented to the Cattle and Other Livestock Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Bill of Anambra State on Friday, October 22, 2021, at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, according to ChannelsTV.
The Governor explained that the state government took the decision to ban the open grazing of cattle and other livestock in order to promote peace between the farmers and herders in Anambra state.
He believes that this is a permanent solution as the previous management of the crisis between farmers and herders has been a short-term measure and as such it has become necessary for the government to take decisive action.
The governor stated that the law enforcement agencies have been directed to immediately commence the implementation of the law.
What you should know
- Recall that earlier in July, the Southern Governors Forum announced that they had set September 1, 2021, as the deadline for the promulgation of anti-open grazing law in the member states.
- Anambra State is following in the footsteps of southern states like Lagos, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Delta, Abia states, others, who have already signed the bill into law.
- The law prohibits individuals, groups, from engaging in open nomadic livestock herding or grazing, but rather should embrace ranching as the alternative.
- However, this has been criticized by some northern governors and groups, who believe that It is unfair and illegal as no adequate provision have been made for the herders.
- Earlier in October, the Federal Government threw its weight behind moves by herdsmen to sue southern governors over the anti-open grazing bill they recently signed into law.
