Rivers will soon introduce anti-open grazing law — Wike

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike says his administration will soon introduce the law banning open grazing throughout the state.

Governor Wike spoke in Port Harcourt on Monday at the presentation of his account of stewardship.

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He said the law, when fully implemented, would strengthen its criminal laws to advance the safety and security of the people of the state from “the murderous and destructive activities of herdsmen in line with the recent resolution of the southern governors.”

He said the state under his administration which had worked hard would continue to support the security agencies to fight crimes and keep lives and property safe and secure.

He said the crime rate in the state was low compared to other states, stating that Rivers State is more stable, secure and safer than it was six years ago.

It would be recalled that Governor Wike was among the 18 southern governors that met in Asaba and took a resolution on a total ban on open grazing.

The decision of the governor was berated by the presidency and the Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (CATBAN) who kicked against the ban on open grazing.

This came after President Muhammadu Buhari directed the Minister of Justice to initiate a process of recovering all the grazing routes in the country.