ALGON Delta State enforces ban on open cattle grazing. May 14, 2021
Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Delta State chapter, has thrown its weight behind southern governors on banning of open cattle grazing in southern part of the country, urging them to match their words with actions. The 17 southern governors met in Asaba, Delta State where they banned open cattle grazing across the southern states. Briefing newsmen after the monthly meeting of the association in Warri South Local Government Council, ALGON Chairman in the state, who is also the chairman of Ika North East Local Government Area, Mr. Victor Ebonka, said: "Southern farmers are losing hundreds of millions of Naira to plundering of food crops through encroachments on farmlands and exposing the region to famine and acute food scarcity. "Enough is enough of these criminal herdsmen who have been terrorizing our people. We are sick and tired of the activities of these killer herdsmen. Our farmers now find it difficult to go to farm for fear of being raped, killed or kidnapped. Our rural dwellers can no longer sleep with their two eyes closed for fear of being attacked by these ravaging armed herdsmen. "We, therefore, resolved in our meeting to enforce the ban on open grazing in our various local government areas. We have asked our council chairmen to liase with relevant authorities and ensure immediate enforcement of the ban." Ebonka, who said open grazing was no longer acceptable to the people in Delta State, advised that those who trade in cows should device a better and modern method of keeping their cattle. "We shall no longer tolerate open grazing in our communities. We also back our governors on the call for a national dialogue, restructuring and respect for federal character, among other resolutions, reached by them."