Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) has challenged South-West governors to ensure the enforcement of the anti-open grazing laws in their states.
DAWN Director-General, Mr Seye Oyeleye, stated this on Monday in an interview with newsmen in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Oyeleye said banning open grazing would enhance the security in the region and would also increase in-bound investments as many would invest in ranching.
He charged the governors in the region to use the police and Amotekun to enforce the law, warning them not to sit back and expect herders to comply with the law.
The DAWN boss commended the Ikun Dairy Farm in Ekiti State, saying that was an example of how cattle business should be done.
Oyeleye added that South-West governors did not need to create ranches but should ensure that enabling environment is created to encourage investments.
According to him, “Our governor should use the police and Amotekun to enforce the ban on open grazing. You can’t make a law and go to bed expecting that it would be complied with. Former Governor Ayo Fayose enforced the law when he was there.
“Our governors are serious but to be seen as serious, they must enforce the anti-open grazing law.
“Open grazing has been banned by states in the South-West and we at the DAWN Commission believe this is the first step towards ensuring security in our forests.
“Everybody must comply, we don’t want open grazing. If it is the way of life of some people to graze cows, that way of life is harmful to our own way of life which is agriculture and it must stop.”
