Gov. Shade Assents Livestock and Grazing Management Bill

The Governor of Cross River State, Ben Ayade, has signed the state’s Livestock and Grazing Management Bill into law.

He signed the bill yesterday during a brief ceremony at the Governor’s Office conference hall Calabar. The Governor noted that the new law is a masterpiece of legislation, pointing out that it has a significant difference compared to most states.

“Contrary to what most states have done, we have made containment and control measures to define the beacons of range through which any form of ranching can be done.” 

“The law is very detailed. It provides penalties for straying cattle, as well as cattle rustling.

“Anybody who steals cattle belonging to a herdsman, there is a penalty provided in the law. Any herdsman who allows his cattle to stray out of the ranch, there is a penalty. So, with this law, we have protected the farmers and we have protected the herders too.

“This way, we did not absolutely ban, but we have controlled grazing, we have controlled movement of cattle and made a provision that all movement of cattle within the state has to be by vehicle, so, there would no more be trekking with cows through farmlands.”

Ayade noted that the law did not legitimatize the destruction of farmlands by farmers or exterminate the business of herders.

He stressed that both indigenous and non-indigenes are into livestock farming in the state, and therefore this was taken into consideration during the legislation.

“We also have Cross River indigenes who are into livestock,” he clarified as he commended the speaker and members of the State House of Assembly for their foresight and cleverness in fashioning the laws.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Eteng Williams, has commended the bill, saying it would shape the behavioral pattern of residents.