For farmers, herders and other residents of Abeokuta North Local Council of Ogun State, the council’s new livestock regulations are expected to bring clearer rules to grazing activities and help reduce disputes over farmland and public spaces.

The council has introduced a bye-law prohibiting open grazing and making the registration of herders and livestock owners compulsory within the local government area.

The measure, according to the council, is designed to regulate livestock activities, protect farmers’ investments, enhance public safety and promote peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders.

But the new rules are only part of a broader push by the council to improve life in its communities.

The administration has also commissioned projects across its 16 wards and four major communities, covering roads, schools, healthcare, rural electrification, potable water, sanitation and other public facilities.

To build support for the grazing regulations, the council recently held a sensitisation programme that brought together traditional rulers, community leaders, farmers, herders, security agencies, market associations, transport unions, youth groups and other stakeholders.

The participants were taken through the provisions of the bye-law and other local regulations intended to protect public order and the environment.

The regulations also prohibit indiscriminate waste disposal, encroachment on government property and illegal occupation of public land.

For the council chairman, Olanrewaju Ayodeji Oyegbola-Sodipo, the success of the administration cannot be measured by projects alone.

“Development is not measured solely by the number of projects we execute. It is equally reflected in the institutions we build, the laws we enact, and the level of public understanding and ownership we create.”

“Our approach has always been to carry our people along because lasting development can only be achieved through partnership between government and the people,” he said.

Oyegbola-Sodipo said the livestock bye-law was particularly important because of the need to protect agricultural investments while ensuring that farmers and herders could coexist peacefully.

He said the stakeholders’ engagement was aimed at ensuring that those affected by the new policies understood their responsibilities and had an opportunity to contribute to their implementation.

The council chairman also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving public health, protecting public assets, promoting environmental sustainability, attracting investment and creating a safer environment for residents and businesses.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, commended the council for its development initiatives during the commissioning of the projects.

Hamzat described the investments in education, water infrastructure, sanitation and other public facilities as evidence of responsive governance at the grassroots.

He said the projects were consistent with the development agenda of the Ogun State Government under Governor Dapo Abiodun.

The council administration said it had, since assuming office, focused on infrastructure renewal, human capital development, youth empowerment, healthcare, education, environmental management, institutional reforms and community security.

Oyegbola-Sodipo also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for efforts to strengthen governance and security, while appreciating Governor Abiodun for supporting development at the grassroots.

The council said the combination of new regulations and development projects was part of its broader strategy to build stronger institutions, improve public services and deepen inclusive governance across Abeokuta North.