Group urges South East govs to legislate against open grazing

Izu Umunna Cultural Association of Nigeria (IUCAN) has called on governors of the South East states to send bills to the Houses of Assembly on prohibition of open grazing in the region.

The group made the call yesterday in Jos, Plateau State, through a statement signed by the president, Dr. Ugo Ihekuna, and secretary, Tony Egwuonwu.

In the statement, IUCAN lauded the governors for steps taken so far to ban inter-state movement of cattle by foot in the region.

“We solidly support the ban on movement of cattle by foot from state to state in South East and further urge the governors to cause all Houses of Assembly in the zone that have not done so to pass the anti-grazing and other necessary laws to that effect,” it said.

Recognising the seriousness with which the governors led by Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi viewed the security challenges in the region, it commented their unity of purpose.

The statement urged the governors to pursue vigorously their planned meeting with Mr. President and security chiefs and, in the process, obtain approval to integrate local vigilance groups in the maintenance of law and order.

“We laud the interest shown by South East governors in monitoring the rehabilitation work on Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, by Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the palliative measures on Sam Mbakwe Airport to handle diverted flights. They should maintain the pressure on relevant agencies to ensure that the jobs are completed before December 2019 as promised. This is necessary in view of the heavy traffic on these airports at yuletide,” the statement added.