Anti-grazing: Why can’t cattle farmers own business premises in form of ranch? - Ekiti Lawmakers

Ekiti State governor

Members of the National Assembly (NASS) from Ekiti State have insisted that the new anti-grazing law  titled State Prohibition of Cattle and other Ruminants Grazing in Ekiti State Law must be obeyed by anyone willing to do cattle business in state.

While expressing support for Governor Ayodele Fayose's action, they said strict adherence to the law was imperative because Nigeria is a federation and each state is empowered by law to make laws to protect its people.

The NASS members said rather than issuing treats against the government and the people of the state over the enforcement of the grazing law, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) should collaborate with the government to stop the menace of Fulani herdsmen in the state.

The NASS members; Senators Biodun Olujimi and Duro Faseyi as well as House of Representatives members; Hon Akin Awodumila, Hon Segun Adekola, Hon Kehinde Agboola, Hon Ayodele Oladimeji and Hon Thadeus Aina, said, after meeting with the governor in Ado-Ekiti on Sunday, that “all lovers of peace and progress of Ekiti State must support the governor to protect the lives and properties of our people.”

The lawmakers called on all security agencies in the State to join the newly established Ekiti Grazing Enforcement Marshal (EGEM) to enforce the grazing law.

They said; “There is nowhere in the world where people engage in business without control from the government and controlling cattle grazing in Ekiti State must not be seen by anyone as targeted at the business interest of any section of the country.

“For instance, those selling cloths have business premises in form of shops that they pay for while those into poultry farming own pens. Why can’t cattle farmers also own business premises in form of ranch?

“Even if there are no incidences of killing of people and destruction of farmlands, it will still not be right in this modern age for cattle to be moving from one location to another, in most cases, on highways and in major cities.

“Now imagine a situation where cows are being made to graze on peoples farmlands and those who resisted the herdsmen are being killed. Can any responsible governor keep silent and allow his people to be killed and their sources of livelihood destroyed?

“It is for this reason that we salute the courage of our governor for being alive to his primary responsibility of protecting Ekiti people and we urge the cattle breeders to apply to the State Ministry of Agriculture for designated grazing areas as stipulated by the law.”