EditorOHANAEZE Ndigbo Worldwide has applauded Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for signing the bill on anti-open grazing cattle into Law.
The Bill prohibits open grazing, regulates cattle ranching, and other related matters.
Ugwuanyi signed the Bill into law on Tuesday, 12 days after the State House of Assembly pasesd it, in compliance with the agreement reached by the Southern Governors on the matter.
The apex socio-cultural body of Ndigbo had recently at a meeting with the South East Governors in the Government House Owerri, Imo State, urged all the Governors in the South East region to fast track signing of the law.
In a release signed by the organization’s spokesman, Chiedozie Ogbonnia, said Ohanaeze’s position for the law is rooted in its philosophy for peace and unity in the country.
He said, “Ohanaeze had noted that the major source of conflict between the herdsmen and the Igbo indigenous farmers is the unconscionable open grazing by the herdsmen.
“Nothing can be as disheartening as waking up in the morning to discover that one’s farm has been ravaged by cows. The worst is that any form of protestation by the indigenes against the willful damages will be met with all forms of attacks including, kidnapping, torture, maiming and in some cases killing.
“It is to curb the conflicts that arise from the herdsmen-farmers relations that in the month of May, 2021, the 17 Southern Governors resolved on the ban of open grazing in Southern states. They recommended that the Federal Government should support willing states to develop alternative and modern livestock management systems.”
Ogbonnia said, “Ohanaeze commends Ugwuanyi for keeping faith with the agreement reached by the Southern Governors.
“Ugwuanyi’s assent to this bill is expected to improve on the existing peace and security in Enugu state. Ugwuanyi has shown character and integrity.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo owes it a duty to continue to engage other South East governors who are yet to initiate action on the ban on open grazing until the entire South East is free from herders-farmers conflict.” he added.
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