Why the Ban on Open Grazing is Difficult to Enforce, APC Governor Shares Important Details
- Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has expressed his view regarding the anti-open grazing laws by some states especially in the southern region of the country
- AbdulRazaq disclosed that the ban on open grazing is a difficult one to enforce because of the security challenges the country is faced with in recent times
- The governor maintained that the ban is enshrined in the constitution, it can only be minimized, while urging the FG to fund the programme
Kwara state- Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara state has stated that it is difficult to enforce the ban on open grazing.
Speaking with Vanguard, the governor said security challenges are huge, especially with insecurity in the Northwest, and the declaration by Southern Governors to ban open grazing.
According to him, there’s been a migration of herdsmen coming into Kwara especially in some villages. They are more in population than the indigenes.
Source: Facebook
AbdulRazaq said:
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“Once they pronounced it and set a date, we saw a migration of herdsmen coming in to the extent that if you go to Kwara South, Kwara North now, in some villages, the Fulani have moved in. They are more in population than the indigenes.
“Security challenges are huge, especially with insecurity in the North-West, and the declaration by Southern Governors to ban open grazing.
“Many times, I have engaged with the traditional rulers, especially to say, let’s be accommodating, it will soon pass.
“The ban on open grazing is a law that cannot be enforced. It’s about fundamental human rights; the right to free movement. It is enshrined in our Constitution. You can try to minimize it.
“We’re not offering these Fulani anything other than the bullets. That’s the truth of it. What are the options? We say we ban open grazing, so what option did we give them other than move out of our state, we have banned open grazing?
“They are Nigerians who have rights to freedom of movement. If you ban open grazing, you have to give them an option.”
The governor who explained why some governors were in support of the ban, urged the federal government to fund the programme, the same way former President Yar’Adua invested money in the militants' issue.
He added:
“To say, those that have land should give them land. But even with land, it is a big issue.
"They say states own land. State do not own land. If you take a piece of land, you’ll have to compensate the original owners. The state has to buy the land.
"And that’s why some governors are saying that the Federal Government needs to put money in this programme, the same way Yar’Adua invested money in the militants’ issue. Let’s begin to settle them.
"Apart from the National Livestock Transformation Programme, there’s no real effort, other than to say, stop this. We need to open an avenue for them to say.”
Why Governors have resolved to dump open grazing, Governor Fayemi shares crucial details
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that Kayode Fayemi, the Ekiti state governor is unhappy with the controversy surrounding the anti-open grazing law and has come in for all governors in the country.
The chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Fayemi, had on Sunday, September 26, disclosed that all governors in the country have in principle agreed that open grazing was outdated and there was a need to embrace modern livestock management approaches.
Fayemi said the governors have also subscribed to the national livestock transformation plan via the National Economic Council decision that was taken during a meeting chaired by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.
Source: Legit.ng
