Enact prohibition of open grazing law, group tells Gov Obiano

THE League of Anambra Professionals ( LAP) has called on the governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, to urgently oversee the enactment of law for the prohibition areas of open grazing in the state.

The group said they expected, as is the case in the states, which have enacted or are in the process of enacting the law, that he would have kickstarted it through an executive bill.

“Suffice it at this onset to advert to the industrial scale murder, rape, arson and other serious crimes with devastating disruption of the social order perpetrated by terrorists who are masquerading as herdsmen engaged in open grazing of cattle.

“It is axiomatic that the unsustainable practice of open grazing, in addition to being inherently disruptive of peaceful farming activities, has proven to be the cover for murderous terrorists despoiling our land and populations. Prohibition of open grazing would therefore go a long way in curbing this grave problem,” the group said in an open letter addressed to the governor and signed by its president, Chijioke Okoli ( SAN),” the gpoup said.

The letter reads: “It was therefore with tremendous relief that the vast majority of the indigenes and residents of the 17 Southern states greeted news of the resolution of their governors, including your good self, upon their meeting of July 5, 2021 in Asaba, to ban open grazing in all their territories. They went on to prescribe a September 30, 2021 deadline.

“With recent news reports cataloguing the states, which have enacted the relevant legislation and those taking concrete steps towards doing so, it is therefore curious that no mention was made of Anambra State amongst the number of the diligent states.

“It is in the light of the foregoing considerations that we decided to formally request you to kindly share with us the steps your government has taken, and is taking, to see that the law to prohibit open grazing is quickly enacted in Anambra State.”

Reminding him that amongst the membership of the LAP are very accomplished persons in the various professions including law, the group offered to render any technical assistance it may require to see that the law is enacted as a matter of urgency.