Macban and Gafdan ask Enugu House of Assembly to delay passing of bill banning open grazing for a month

FULANI herdsmen body the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (Macban) has asked the Enugu State government to postpone its planned introduction of a ban on open grazing for a month to enable it submit proposals on plans.

Earlier this year, governors of the 17 states that make up southern Nigeria passed a resolution to ban open grazing in their territories. Like all the other states, the Enugu State House of Assembly then began the process of passing legislation that will among other things prohibit open grazing and regulate cattle ranching.

In a submission to the Enugu State House of Assembly, Macban asked for more time, so it could present a detailed response to the plans. Macban's sister group, Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria (Gafdan), also made a similar request, pleading that the state assembly delays its passage of the bill for 30 days to enable them take a position on how it will affect their businesses in the state.

Both groups made their separate pleas during a one day public hearing by the House of Assembly joint committee on Agriculture, Youths and Security Matters and Judiciary, Public Petitions, Ethics and Privileges. However, the deputy speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Uche Ugwu told the groups that law-making is subject to amendments, stating that at any time they became ready with their positions, the house would receive their views and if necessary make amendment to the law if it had been passed by then.