The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, has on Wednesday, stated that the ban on Anti-Open Grazing in Lagos State, will not work for now, asks Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for more time to train the Fulani herdsmen, .
Recall, that the ‘Prohibition of Open Cattle Grazing Bill’ passed second reading on Monday, at the Lagos State House of Assembly.
The Bill seeks to outlaw Open Grazing, trespass of cattle, illegal entering into farmlands, among others, in the State, and impose 21 years jail term as punishment for violators.
However, on Wednesday, Miyetti Allah’s Zonal Secretary in the South-West, Maikudi Usman, said that the body needs more time to get its house in order.
Usman spoke at a one-day Public Hearing, organised by the Lagos State House of Assembly.
His exact words: “When we say we will keep cattle in one place, the owner of the cattle will not have funds to feed the animals in one place.
“They (herdsmen) depend on going from one place to another, because during the rainy season, we have where we settle down, and we also have for the dry season.
“We are pleading with the State Government to give us more time to tell our people, and train them on how to breed cattle in one place, and not encroach on Farmers’ lands.”
Speaking further, he called on the Lagos State Government to amend the proposed Bill.