FGN IFAD VCDP Cattle Menace And Conflict Resolution Committee Calls For Committee To Enforcement Anambra Anti-Open Grazing Law

The Cattle Menace and Conflict Resolution Committee, set-up by the FGN IFAD VCDP has called for the constitution of a committee that will ensure the full enforcement of Anambra State Anti-Open Grazing Law, recently pronounced by Governor Chukwuma Soludo to commence last month.

The committee, inaugurated by the FGN IFAD VCDP three years ago, made the call during it’s Brain storming session across the eight participating council areas to deliver on their mandate.

Members of the committee were drawn from the police, DSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Immigration, Federal Road Safety Corp, transition committee chairmen, traditional rulers, presidents general, members of Community Agricultural Forum, CAF and farmers.

Speaking at Awka North Council Headquarters, Achalla, when a monitoring team from the state coordination office of the FGN IFAD VCDP arrived, the chairman, Awka North Traditional Rulers Council and traditional ruler of Ebenebe Community, Igwe Chris Nnaegbuna suggested branding of cattle with local government or community initials for proper identification in case of malicious damage.

Igwe Nnaegbuna, who frowned at the degree of destruction by cattle he personally recorded in his farm, while calling for the employment of forest guards by government, advised that cattle rearers should be mandated to buy lands or lease same for proper ranching.

On arrival at Anambra East Council Secretariat, Otuocha, the secretary of CAF, Anambra East Local Government Area, Mr. Felix Anigbogu listed inclusion of Fulani herdsmen in the Cattle Menace and Conflict Resolution Committee as some of their resolutions.

Mr. Anigbogu stated that the committee, also called for synergy between all the security agencies and local vigilante groups, who will according to them aid in counting of the headers resident in the community for optimum result.

Addressing participants at the various council areas visited, the leader of the team and the state Programme Coordinator, FGN IFAD VCDP, Mr. Nnamdi Agwuncha said that the Cattle Menace and Conflict Resolution Committee is saddled with the responsibility of protecting farmers’ crops and promoting their welfare.

Mr. Agwuncha, represented by the state Agricultural Production Officer, FGN IFAD VCDP, Mr. Emmanuel Chukwukwelu, reminded them to always insure their farms to have a fall back in case of any eventuality.