Photo in the story is used for illustration. (Credit : The Guardian)
By Abasifreke Effiong
The Acting Chairman of Nasarawa State branch of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association MACBAN, Alhaji Bala Mohammed Dabo, says her members will accept the ban on open grazing if a suitable alternative is discussed and worked out for them by the government.
The agitation for the ban on open grazing in Nigeria has been strong lately due to frequently deadly clashes between herders and farmers.
Earlier this month, Governors from Southern States resolved to ban open grazing of cattle in their respective States.
In a telephone interview with The Dune, Alhaji Dabo who spoke through the Assistant Secretary of MACBAN Nasarawa State, said if ban on open grazing will guarantee peaceful coexistence, they are willing to accept it provided an alternative grazing method is provided for them.
“Banning open grazing looks barbaric to us because it is something that we are not used to. However, we know that government is bent on implementing this policy, they should consult us. Certain things have to be done before banning open grazing.”
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“We are for the government and the government exists to protect every Nigerian. We are ready to submit ourselves to the ban on open grazing if governments are ready to provide the requirements for closing open grazing practice.”
Alhaji Dabo said MACBAN in Nasarawa State is working assiduously to protect businesses of her members while ensuring peaceful coexistence with other business owners especially farmers.
He regretted that incessant crises between herders and farmers have affected businesses of their members, their welfare as well as family life.
“Frequent crisis (between herders and farmers) has affected our people massively, it affects how ‘pattrolage’ normally graze. With the crisis, herders have not slept with two their eyes closed and they cannot move to where they should move to, to find good feed for their cattle. Also, our families are being affected because now we live in different places and our wives and children live in different places. All these are as a result of the crisis. Before now “patroller” and his family used to live in the same place enjoying the family and enjoying the grazing.
“As a result of this crisis, milk, oil and meat production has reduced. The number of cows taken to the market is determined, before now markets were usually flooded with cows, and also we find emaciated cows in the market because they cows are not camped in one place.”
Alhaji Dabo said his administration has already initiated moves that will ensure peaceful coexistence between MACBAN members and communities in Nasarawa State.
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He said MACBAN will work with in collaboration with security agencies and other organisations towards peace-building in the State.
“We are building on what my predecessor did. Our commitment is that we will make sure that everywhere is peaceful and everybody is living in peace especially ‘pattrolage’ and farmers in Nasarawa state with the collaboration of security agencies and all other agencies who can contribute to peace development in the state.
“We have started consulting our people to ensure that there is peace-building process that is sustainable. We have started consulting security agencies, after that we will meet with farmers so that they can be part of the peace pact”, Alhaji Dabo added.
