Herders comply with grazing law in Otukpo

Herders in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State are complying with the implementation of the anti-grazing law by restricting their animals to confined space in the vicinity.

Daily Trust reports that the grazing law which took effect on November 1 has generated heated argument in several fora such that some cattle breeders have moved out of the state with their herds.

But the Fulani herders residing in Otukpo have decided to comply with law and stay put in the area doing their businesses as well as promoting peace in the land.

The paramount traditional ruler of Otukpo kingdom, Chief John Eimonye, told our correspondent yesterday that the herders were fully in tandem with the law enacted by the state government.

Eimonye rated the level of compliance by the herders at 80 percent as he noted that his domain enjoys absolute peace and harmonious living with the cattle breeders.

“The Otukpo local government chairman and I (Eimonye) met with the herders over some of their challenges. They don’t have water at the place where their cos were restricted to so we have allowed a window period of two hours daily for them to get their animals to drink water.

“So I can say the level of compliance in Otukpo by the herders to the law is 80 percent for now. Their cattle no longer wanders up and down. They have also requested for land and we are looking at a two months grace period during which the committee in place will provide them with the needed land for proper ranching,” Eimonye said.

At the time of this report, the Ardo Fulani of Otukpo, Alhaji Risku, said they had assured the authority that they would comply with the law except that they were yet to get land to ranch their animals.

Risku explained that while they had continued to dialogue with concerned authority over the matter, they were currently suffering in terms of getting water and feeds for their cattle which were not allowed to roam anywhere, adding that apart from that, they had enjoyed maximum peace.

The Benue State Coordinator of Myetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Garus Gololo, also confirmed the development, saying that the herders in Otukpo and Guma were happy with their host communities.