FCT MINISTER ORDERS HERDSMEN OUT OF ABUJA

Cattle Breeders

The Minister gave this instruction during a meeting with the Miyatti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, FCT Chapter. Noting that it is impossible for those animals to co-habit with residents of the FCT, he said that this is a step to completely put a stop to cattle grazing in Abuja metropolis, major entrance and exit highways into the city centre.


“This is not because the government wants to prevent cattle breeders from rearing cattle in the territory. You have to understand that when Abuja Environmental Protection Board says cattle should not roam the city, it is not because they want to prevent cattle breeders from rearing cattle in the FCT. Basically, it is just for safety. It is for safety of your cattle and above all, safety of the citizens”, he said.

Bello on this note urged the association to nominate some of its members to serve in the Ministerial Task Team on Environment to facilitate ease of communication between the FCT and the association explaining that the FCT administration has identified new grazing reserves for their requirements.

He revealed that “A total of 33,485 hectares have already been earmarked for grazing reserves to cater for about 7 million herds of cattle comprising Paikon Kore – 8,500 hectares, Karshi – 6,000 hectares, Kawu in Bwari – 9,000 hectares and Rubochi in Kuje- 9,985 hectares.”

The Minister stated that the critical issue is payment of compensation to the farmers and the FCT Administration will work together with the National Assembly to resolve it amicably. He hinted that they may even reach out to the host communities to work out a situation where compensation does not have to be in monetary terms because of the large expanse of land involved.

The FCT Chapter Chairman of the Association, Mallam Yahaya Isah said the Association would continue to promote peaceful co-existence and promised to enlighten the members not to breed cattle on the streets and highways of Abuja again.