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From Igho Omuaye Lucky, Benin
The National Association of Cattle Dealers, Processors, and Marketers of Nigeria (NACDPAMN), Edo State chapter, has begged the Ikpoba Okha Local Government Council chairman, Mr Sino Eric Osawaru, for an extension of time on the ban of open grazing in the local government area.
Spokesperson of the group and Islamic leader of the Ikpoba Okha Cattle Dealers, Mr Ahmed Evbareke, made the appeal while on a courtesy call on the council chairman at the secretariat.
He said the extension is to enable them to make adequate arrangements for their ranches.
“We are here to say that we are 100 per cent in support of the banning of open grazing.
“Secondly, we are also here to beg you to give us time to be able to sink into the new plan,” Evbareke said.
Evbareke maintained that, during the period of extension, it would provide them with the opportunity to carry out what they tag as identification of their cattle.
Evbareke said that the local government should give them time because most of those in the cattle business are citizens of the state and not foreigners, as perceived by some individuals, adding that asking them to stick to the December 1 deadline is eventually asking them to quit their businesses.
Mr Evbareke said members of the association are law-abiding citizens of the state and are prepared to work with the council to end open grazing in the local government area.
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Addressing the association, the Ikpoba Okha Local Government Council chairman, Mr Sino Osawaru, said 80 per cent of the complaints he received from the people of the various communities are about how herdsmen have used their cattle to destroy their crops.
He said the act cannot be allowed to continue; hence, the need for a ban on open grazing in the local government.
Osawaru said those who want to continue with the cattle business should be prepared to ranch them, as the council cannot afford to please the association to the detriment of the people.
“So, as a government, we are prepared to protect your business, but not at the expense of the citizens.
“We also have businessmen. We also do not want them to use their own business to disturb you. So, that is exactly what we stand for.
“So, I appreciate it if the extension you are looking for is within what we can do as a local government,” he said.
The state local government council chairman, in order to put an end to the herdsmen menace, set December 1 as the deadline for open grazing in the area.
