ANTI-OPEN GRAZING LAW: Delta Activist Mulade Blasts State Govt Over Non-implementation 

By Osaro Michael, Benin

Prominent Delta State peace and environmental justice advocate, Chief (Comrade) Sheriff Mulade, has lamented the deliberate neglect and non-implementation of the Delta State Anti-Open Grazing and Prohibition Law 2021, alleging it had been used to only score political credit, while vulnerable masses, especially farmers, were abandoned to their fate.

Speaking on the law, Chief Mulade, who is the Ibe-Serimowei of ancient Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri South-West council area, stated that, close to four years after its passage, the non-implementation of the law is an indictment on the government in its inability to safeguarding the lives of Deltans.

He noted, “In 2021, the Delta State government took a politically motivated and significant step towards addressing the long-standing conflict between herders and farmers by signing the Anti-Open Grazing and Prohibition Law.

“This legislation was designed to curb the rampant issues associated with open grazing, which has been a source of tension, violence, and insecurity in many parts of Nigeria. However, as we approach the fourth anniversary of this law, it is evident that the Delta State government has failed to implement it effectively, leaving citizens vulnerable to the very crises the law was intended to prevent.”

Mulade reiterated the importance of the law in not only curbing violence but enhancing agricultural productivity and economic stability.

“The context of the law is very clear: Open grazing has been a contentious issue in Nigeria, particularly in the Middle Belt and southern regions, where clashes between herders and farmers have led to loss of lives, destruction of property, and widespread insecurity.

“The Anti-Open Grazing Law was introduced as a proactive measure to regulate livestock movement, protect farmlands, and promote peaceful coexistence between herders and farmers. By prohibiting open grazing, the law aimed to reduce conflicts and enhance agricultural productivity, thereby fostering economic stability in the region,” he stressed.

The National Coordinator of the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, warned of the consequences of the non-implementation of the anti-grazing law to include hunger, insecurity, violence, crimes, and the lack of public trust in the government among others.

“Despite the law’s noble intentions, the Delta State government has not taken the necessary steps because it lacks the political will to enforce it to the detriment of Deltans This lack of implementation has serious implications for the state and its citizens.

“The failure to regulate grazing practices has left farmers vulnerable to the encroachment of cattle on their lands, leading to crop destruction and economic losses. Moreover, the absence of a robust framework to manage herders activities has exacerbated tensions between communities, increasing the likelihood of violent confrontations.

“The situation is further complicated by reports of kidnappings and violent attacks attributed to herders and their accomplices. Citizens have expressed growing concerns about their safety, as these incidents have become alarmingly frequent. The government’s silence on the non-implementation of the law, despite these security challenges, raises questions about its commitment to protecting the lives and livelihoods of its citizens.

“The failure to implement the Anti-Open Grazing Law not only threatens agricultural productivity but also poses a significant risk to the overall security of Delta State. The lack of effective governance in this regard undermines public trust in the government and its ability to maintain law and order,” he added.