Anti-Open Grazing Law Takes Effect In Delta Council By December 22

Delta state anti-open grazing law would be fully enforced and implemented in Isoko North local government area by December 22, 2024, chairman of the Local Government Council, Godwin Ogorugba, has declared.

The chairman made the declaration, on Tuesday, during a security meeting with all security agencies, vigilantee, traditional rulers, community presidents-general and other stakeholders, charging them to comply strictly with the extant law of Anti-Open Grazing.

The law which was assented to by the Delta State government in 2021, prohibits the open grazing of livestock in the state.

Speaking during the security and peace committee meeting held in the council EXCO chamber in Ozoro, Ogorugba, tasked the traditional rulers council, community Presidents- General, heads of security agencies, vigilantee, leaders of fulani herders and arewa community to ensure everyone comply with the law.

The chairman, emphasized the need for proactive measures to curb herders and farmers’ crisis which have resulted in loss of lives, properties, and deprivation of farming activities over the years and urged all herders or livestock owners to beging to purchase or lease a piece of land for ranching of their livestocks before 22nd December 2024.

Ogorugba however reiterated that livestock such as cattle, goats, and sheep must be ranched, rather than open grazing that has always resulted in clashes between farmers and herders, warning that you can’t use your own business to destroy another person own.

“The enforcement of this law is a welcome development, as it aims to address the long-standing conflicts between herders and farmers in Isoko North and Delta State at large, by prohibiting open grazing, the council hopes to reduce the incidence of clashes and promote peaceful coexistence between the Isoko North people and fulani herders”, Ogorugba stressed.

The chairman further disclosed that the Delta state Anti-Open Grazing law made provision for the establishment of Taskforce on the implementation of the Ban, saying “full implementation shall commence as from on the 22nd of December 2024 and I want to urge all security agencies, vigilantee, traditional rulers, community presidents-general and other stakeholders to comply strictly with the extant law of Anti-Open Grazing.”