Banner Online News

By Julian Ojebor

The Ika South Local Government Council in Delta State, under the Chairmanship of Hon Jerry Ehiwarior has held a strategic engagement with critical stakeholders on the implementation of the Ban on Open Grazing of Livestock in the local government area as passed into law by the State House of Assembly in 2021.

Ehiwarior, while addressing the stakeholders, reminded them of an existing Law in Delta State Anti-Open Grazing Law banning the Open Grazing of Livestock in the state. He reiterated that the stakeholders’ engagement became imperative considering the menace of Kidnapping and destruction of crops caused across the State. He stated emphatically that Livestock such as Cattle, Goats, Sheep amongst others, should be reared in Ranches and not allowed to create problems for other citizens.

Ehiwarior disclosed that the law made a provision for the establishment of a Taskforce on the Implementation of the Ban, saying that the implementation would commence on December 10, 2024, hence the need to crossbreed ideas on the ways to carry out the exercise aimed at bringing sanity to the local government area. He also directed that the movement of Livestock in Vehicles within the local government area should happen between 6am and 6pm.

Representatives of the Nigeria Correctional Services, Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Police, Landlords’ Association, Agbor and Abavo Clan Unions, during their respective speeches, stated that the implementation of the Ban on Open Grazing of Livestock was long overdue.

They maintained that the exercise would curb the incessant kidnapping of farmers, and stop the destruction of farm crops.

The duo of the representative of the Cattle Sellers and Butchers Association pleaded for more engagements with them to ensure that the exercise commences on sound footing.

In conclusion, Hon. Ehiwarior assured that a subcommittee would be created and that the time for the movement of livestock with vehicles remained from 6am to 6pm. He commended the stakeholders for their inputs and support, stressing that the exercise would be carried out without any form of discrimination.