Igbo youth Group calls on South-East Governors to ban open grazing ban in Southeast
Following the recent destruction, by cows, of a farm in Umuahia, Abia State, owned by one Mrs Felicia Nwokonte, as well the destruction of other farms in other states of the South East, the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders (COSEYL), has called on the governors of the region to ban open grazing and take decisive steps to implement immediate action on open grazing law.
The President General of the Igbo youth group, Goodluck Ibem, while expressing his anger over the development, noted that if the practice is allowed to continue, it would cause emotional and financial distress to farmers in the zone. Ibem stated:
“We expressed deep concern regarding the distressing incident faced by Mrs Felicia Nwokonte, a 53-year-old farmer from Umuana Ndume in Umuahia North Local Government Area, Abia State.“Mrs Nwokonte’s farmland has been completely devastated by unchecked cattle intrusion, resulting in the total destruction of her crops, including cassava, yam, and vegetables”
“It has come to our attention that the herders broke into her farm by tampering with the padlock securing the premises, allowing their cattle to graze on her carefully cultivated crops. This violation has not only turned her farmland into an unrecognisable wasteland but has also caused her immense emotional and financial distress”
The Youth group insisted that the escalating conflict between farmers and herders in the region highlights the urgent need for the Abia State governor, Dr Alex Otti, and the other governors in the South East to enforce the existing laws on open grazing without delay.
“The law must be upheld and those who violate it must be held accountable to prevent further devastation to the farming community.”
