The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association has said that
a cow could cost up to N2 million in Lagos State if the anti-grazing bill is
passed into law in the state.
Zonal Secretary of Myetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association
in the South West, during a one-day public hearing organised by the state House
of Assembly on the anti-open grazing bill on Wednesday.
The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday
sent the bill on open grazing to the committee on agriculture after it scaled
second reading.
It was entitled, “A bill for a law to Prohibit Open Cattle
Grazing In Lagos State, the Trespass of Cattle Land And For Other Connected
Purposes”.
During the public hearing, Usman appealed to the state
government for assistance, noting that ranching is more expensive than open
grazing.
Usman, who agreed that there were some criminally-minded
herders, argued that raising a cow in one location could increase the price of
a cow to as much as N2 million.
He also pleaded with the government to subsidise the cost of
raising the cattle in one location.
“If cattle are bred in one place, the price could go up to
about N2 million each. We agreed with some local chiefs in other states that
anyone who wants to rear cows in a location should register and should indicate
when he is leaving.
“A Fulani man moves from one place to another to ply his
trade, but we have some bad eggs that are causing trouble. The government
should allow us to talk to our people that they don’t want our cows to destroy
people’s farmland.
“We have met with stakeholders in Ekiti, Ondo and even Oyo
states and we reached agreements with them,” Usman was quoted as saying this in
a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the House, Mr
Eromosele Ebhomele.
Also, the Chairman of Lagos State Butchers Association of
Lagos State, Alhaji Alabi Bamidele Kazeem, advocated for support to cattle
breeders, arguing that “rearing animals in one location could be expensive”.
On his part, the President of the Lagos State Sheep Farmers
Association, Alhaji Mustapha Ibrahim, described the bill as “all-embracing and
would ensure a symbiotic relationship between cattle rearers and farmers”.
He also advocated for legislation to promote the creation of
farm estates across the state.
Security is important
– Speaker
This was as the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, said
the bill was intended to create an atmosphere that would encourage peaceful
co-existence among residents.
Obasa, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Wasiu
Eshilokun-Sanni, said in his keynote address that it was important to address
the issue of cattle rearing, especially as it affects security and other human
desires.
The speaker added that the issues involved with the current
ways of cattle rearing and open grazing called for concerted efforts for
stability and economic development.
“If there is no security, there will be no peace and
development. Farmers/herders clash appears to be the oldest. Both the farmers
and herders are critical to food stability.
“Both of them affect our health. Their conflicts lead to
insecurity and claim lives and properties. We must engage ourselves to make the
right decisions,” the Speaker said.
Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Kehinde
Joseph, said the proposed law was meant to ensure peace between herders and
farmers in the state.
According to Joseph, the proposed law is meant to ensure the
registration of herders and prohibition cattle roaming.
“It will forestall herders/farmers clashes and redefine
social and economic activities in the state.
“Members of cattle breeders association will be sensitised
on the new development and we will ensure strict compliance with the law when
it is passed,” he said.
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