In compliance with the directive of the Delta State House of Assembly, the Oshimili South Local Government today inaugurated a taskforce to enforce the state’s anti open grazing law of 2021 in its mandate areas. The law is for the regulation of livestock breeding, rearing and marketing in Delta State
The directive of the State Assembly, which was to all the 25 Local Governments in the state, was sequel to the flagrant disregard for the law by herders, who still grazed their cattle in every available open field, including farms, resulting in destruction of crops and sometimes deadly clashes with farmers
Inaugurating the taskforce, the Head of Personnel Management and acting Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government, Mrs. Chidinma Idao, said the enforcement of the law had become imperative in view of the frequently reported cases of farmers/herders clashes and their unpleasant consequences.
Mrs. Idao, who is the Chairman of the taskforce, said steps would be taken to adequately sensitize the people of Oshimili South, especially livestock breeders, rearers and marketers on the need not to use their businesses to cause pains and losses to others.
She revealed that the taskforce was not to witch haunt anyone, and would go about its operations with the human face, even as she emphasized that open grazing was now strictly prohibited in all parts of Oshimili South and would be enforced.without fear or favour.
The taskforce Chairman explained that the movement of livestock on foot from one destination to another had been outlawed in the area, stressing that livestock breeders, rearers and marketers should henceforth restrict their operations to specific grazing grounds to be negotiated with their host communities.
She added that no livestock owner in any part of Oshimili South LGA must allow it to stray, pointing out that the offences outlined in the law had their appropriate sanctions, including apprehending the livestock, payment of fines and prosecution in a Mobile Court.
The taskforce is made up of a Livestock Officer from the State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, a representative each from the Police, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Cattle Dealers/Rearers association in the LGA, National Butchers Union in the LGA, and All Farmers Association of Nigeria in the LGA.
The Director of Personnel Management of the Council is to serve as the Secretary of the taskforce.
