Edo State Bans Open Grazing to End Farmer/Herder Conflicts

Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has announced the signing of the anti-grazing law, which aims to end the clashes between farmers and herders and ensure security and peace in the state.

The governor made the announcement at the Edo Central Security Council Meeting, which took place in Irrua, the headquarters of Esan Central Local Government Area.

“I am pleased to inform you that the Edo State Government now has a regulation which prohibits open grazing in Edo State. The bill has been signed into law by means of me. It become signed at the 27th of May and the targets of the regulation are as follows:

“The law prohibits open grazing of livestock and different livestock within the country and creates special ranching areas for the rearing and grazing of livestock and other animals within the kingdom. It will manage and alter the grazing and rearing of cattle and different farm animals in exact ranching areas of Edo State.

“It is supposed to eliminate the struggle among nomadic livestock herders and their sellers and the nearby breeders and owners, groups, farmers and private people and establishments. It will remove land degradation, air, and water pollutants, loss of biodiversity, deforestation and different menaces springing up from open grazing.

“It will create a conducive environment for large-scale crop manufacturing. It would sell modern techniques of animal husbandry thru the advent of ranching regions. It might sell jobs and funding possibilities in cattle and different livestock farming.” he stated.

He said the law, which he signed on May 27, prohibits the open grazing of cattle and other livestock in the state and establishes designated ranching areas for their rearing and grazing. He said the law will help to regulate and control the livestock sector and prevent the environmental and social problems caused by open grazing.

He added that the law will also boost the agricultural and livestock industry by creating a conducive environment for crop production and promoting modern animal husbandry techniques. He said the law will enhance the health and quality of the livestock and prevent the spread of diseases and crop damage.

He further said that the law will foster good relations between the cattle herders and the local communities and individuals and address the security challenges posed by open grazing.

He revealed that his government will set up a cattle and livestock committee to oversee the implementation of the law. He said the committee will be headed by a retired senior security officer and will include representatives of the governor, the police, the state security service, the civil defense, the Nigeria Legion, the vigilante groups, the traditional rulers, the livestock farmers associations, and the community youths.

He said the committee will have the authority to set the rules and impose the fines for anyone who violates the law. He said it is now a crime for anyone to let their cattle or animals roam freely without control. He said the committee will be formed and inaugurated by the end of August.

He also urged the traditional rulers in Esanland to identify and report any security threats or suspicious activities in their areas. He said no one can stay in their houses without their permission and knowledge. He said if they find anyone who is not authorized to stay there, they should report them to the authorities.

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has said his government has signed the anti-grazing law to tackle farmer/herders’ clashes and ensure peace and security across Edo communities.

Obaseki disclosed this at the Edo Central Security Council Meeting, held in Irrua, the Administrative Headquarters of Esan Central Local Government Area, Edo State.

The governor said,

According to him, the law “will prevent the destruction of crops; it will ensure the control and management of diseases and enhance healthy breeding of cattle and other livestock animals. It will promote international best practices in dairy and beef production. It will reduce the incidents of road accidents caused by open grazing and grazing of livestock.

“It will promote and enhance high and healthier breed of livestock and ensure security in ranching areas and ensure good relationships between herders of cattle and local communities and individuals, and address the security challenges associated with open grazing in Edo State.”

Disclosing plans to set up a cattle and livestock committee to facilitate the implementation of the law, Obaseki said, “There would be a cattle and livestock committee which will be chaired by a retired senior security officer, not below the rank of a major or its equivalent in any of the forces. It will have a representative of the governor on security matters. The committee will also have the state Chairman of the vigilante groups and three representatives of the vigilante group, one from each senatorial district.

“It will have a representative of the Commissioner of Police, Department of State Services, civil defense, Nigeria Legion, and the secretary will be in a rank of a chief state council.

“The Managing Director of EdoGIS will be on the committee; one representative of each of the traditional rulers from three senatorial districts will be on the committee; two representatives of registered cattle or other livestock farmers associations will be on the committee, while three community youths selected from the three senatorial areas of the state will be on the committee.”

“This committee will have a lot of powers to set the rules for anybody who wants to be involved in livestock business in the state and also impose required fines. So, it is now a crime for anybody to just allow their cattle or animals to roam without control. And before the end of August, the committee will be constituted and inaugurated,” he added.

The governor at the meeting urged the traditional rulers in Esanland to identify all the black spots and report the same to the appropriate authorities for follow-up, adding, “Nobody can come to your house and stay without your permission and knowledge. Is it possible? If you find a person you didn’t permit to stay there and you want to remove the person and you can’t, that’s when you need support from outside to help you do it.

“However, we want to know who they are. Are they people of good character? Do you know them? if they do anything outside, are you going to be responsible for their actions?” he queried.

The governor further pledged to sustain support to the local vigilante to facilitate the fight against crime and criminality, urging local government councils to ensure they register only persons of good character as vigilantes.