Bayelsa bans open grazing, to prosecute armed herders

The Bayelsa state government has passed a law prohibiting the open grazing of livestock across the state.

According to NAN, Douye Diri, governor of the state, approved the Livestock Breeding, Rearing and Marketing Regulation Law 2021 at the executive chamber of the government house, Yenagoa, on Wednesday.

He said the law was passed to prevent a clash between herders and farmers in the state.

“Bayelsa welcomes all and sundry to eke out a living legitimately. The people of Bayelsa want to have a mutual and harmonious relationship with non-natives and natives,” he said.

“The essence of the law is to avert and forestall any clash between herdsmen, farmers, natives and non-natives as experienced in some states.”

According to the governor, any person found engaging in open grazing of livestock would be arrested, prosecuted and the livestock impounded.

“From the commencement of the law, no person shall breed, rear or trade in livestock in the state in any other place as may be designated by the committee and approved by the state government,” he said.

“The law prohibits movement of cattle on foot from other parts of the country into the state, inspection of livestock and certification by veterinary doctors at entry point into the state among others.”

Diri also said any herder found with arms, whether licensed or not, would be arrested.

He said the law established a livestock management committee, which includes the commissioner for agriculture, security agencies, and youths, to regulate livestock activities in the state.