Enugu State Passes Bill To Regulate Herders’ Activities

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Enugu State House of Assembly, has moved to halt the incessant cases of Farmers/Herders skirmishes in the state ,which has resulted in wanton killings and destruction of properties in the last few years .

The State’s Legislative Body on Wednesday May 8  ,okayed the bill seeking the establishment of a regulatory Agency for the activities of farmers and herders alike through an effective management of both Government and privately owned ranches in the State .

Before the passage of the bill, Hon Clifford Obe,representing Igbo Eze North state Constituency II expressed the optimism that the law and the Agency when fully operational will curb the lingering cases of farmers/herders clashes in the State.

The State law maker blamed the scarcity of food items and its attendant problems of hunger on low agricultural output occasioned by constant feuds and clashes between farmers and herders .

Hon Obe lamented that many farmers have over the years been prevented from accessing their farm lands owing to increased cases of encroachment by some criminal elements ,adding that the situation has led to an astronomical rise in rural- urban migration.

” The bill will help people not to be afraid ,as it seeks to make compulsory for herders to register when ever they enter any community.

It will reduce crime and how cattle mess up our cities and rural communities,because there will be an agency on the ground to guide and regulate herders.

Above all, the state Government would be able to collect tax from the herders ,who before now were not paying any tax.

Also speaking ,member representing Udi South state Constituency,Hon Okechukwu Aneke ,while reassuring otherwise apprehensive people of the good intentions of the piece of legislation, ,noted that herders are integral part of the residents of the state .

He called on the people to be accommodating and learn how to co-exist with the herders and others as the herders have come to stay.

Further ,explaining the crux of the bill, Hon Aneke ,asserted that the agency when in operation will control the herders and their activities.

This is even as he claimed that those attacking, killing and destroying communities are not genuine herders .

“The Agency when established, will have a  designated area where cattle and their herders will be stationed .Any herder who is found in our bushes and not in the designated place will be treated as an intruder and or kidnapper”Hon Aneke stated .

The duo of Harrison Ogara,and Chima Obieze separately called on the people not to stand on the way of genuine persons desirous of conducting their lawful business in the state.

They however warned that all potential business  operators ,including herders should conduct their activities within the confines of extant laws .

They insisted that the bill ,above all other aims ,will enthrone a regime of peace in Enugu state communities .