Governor Soludo should suspend ban on movement of cattle in Anambra, Miyetti Allah pleads

Patrick Franca Abuo

Members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MCBAN), South East Zone, have pleaded with the Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, not to ban movement of cattle on foot in parts of the state.

MCBAN said the enforcement of the order which will take effect from September would harmfully affect their source of income or livelihood.

They said if the prohibition takes effect, it would affect the source of survival of members of the group in the state.

Gidado Siddiki, the leader of Miyetti Allah Association in the South-east zone, in reaction at the end of their meeting in Awka the state capital, in solicitation to Soludo to suspend the execution at the moment to enable them educate the members the more, on how to go about it.

In addition, “Majority of us (Fulanis), don’t know any business outside rearing cattle for livelihood. Some of us were born and bred in this rearing of cattle business here in Anambra state. We have no other place to go.
“The herders are aware that the state governor has flagged off massive tree planting exercise in the 181 communities as part of measures to control the spread of gully erosion in the state, and as law abiding citizens, we have cautioned all our members and equally urged them to protect the trees in their various host communities.

“Our members have remained commitment to peaceful coexistence with their host communities in the State and the South-east geopolitical zone at large.
“We therefore, call on concern stakeholders including the media to help us ti beg the governor, to if possible, reverse his decision on the ban,” Siddiki stated.

Recall that Governor Soludo had during a meeting with members of Anambra State Cattle 
In Akwa, last week the Menace Committee at the Government House, declared a prohibition on movement of cattle in each and every part of the state.
The Governor, while addressing the committee said the prohibition was in compliance with the 2021 anti-open grazing law of the State and that enforcement would begin from September, 2022. He also said now that we have a law banning open grazing, the law enforcement agents have been directed to enforce it.