Politics
Gov Umahi Authorises Ebonyi Chiefs To Create Cattle Grazing Areas
Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi has directed traditional rulers to collate data on herdsmen operating in the state for easy identification and maintenance of peace.
Mr. Umahi, who gave the order on Friday in Abakaiki at a meeting with traditional rulers and miners in the state, noted that the data should include herdsmen’s names, location and contact phone numbers of their leaders.
The governor remarked that the decision was reached after series of meetings with security agencies, various committees and representatives of herdsmen in the state.
“Traditional rulers should hold constant meetings with the herdsmen so that they can identify those from Niger Republic and other areas that foment trouble.
“We have been living in peace with the herdsmen for several years but still maintain that there would not be movement of cattle from one area to another in the state.”
He urged the traditional rulers and other concerned authorities to agree on grazing locations with the herdsmen where they would be restricted for their grazing activities.
“I will provide amenities such as water in such locations because the state government does not have the resources for ranching.
“When the grasses in such areas finish, you should arrange for another location for grazing because we would not tolerate cattle eating or destroying crops on our farmlands.
“Trouble is inevitable but we can handle them maturely through the various committees on herdsmen in the villages, communities and state levels,” he said.
Mr. Umahi warned that henceforth, anybody that killed herdsmen’s cows would make double payments with the herdsmen collecting one part and the ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs, collecting the other.
“The herdsmen will be severely warned if they destroy farmers’ crops and when such persists after investigations, the herdsmen would be forced to leave the community.
“We want to put such restraining measures to prevent cattle rustling because the cows are dear to the herdsmen while the crops are dear to the farmers.
He noted that existing mining laws in the state would be reviewed to make illegal miners to get jail term of five years for engaging in such activities.
“We would send the bill to the House of Assembly as it would also become illegal for traditional rulers or town unions to lease mining sites without government’s clearance,” the governor said.
Samuel Okoronkwo, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, noted that the ministry had intensified efforts to check the activities of illegal miners, especially those from neighbouring Imo and others states.
“We have also sensitised traditional rulers, town unions and other stakeholders to engage the government in mining activities in their areas to enable government to generate the accruing revenue.’’
The chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council in the state, Charles Mkpuma, pledged that traditional rulers would collaborate with the government to check illegal mining activities.
A miner in the state, Basil Igboke, noted that mining business was capital intensive and appealed to the government for financial assistance to support miners.
(NAN)
Anonymous
February 17, 2018 at 3:57 pm
Umahi ! You’re a traitor and slave to your conscience/master. You are not an Igbo leader. You miss stapped and deserves beating by your constituency.
Anonymous
February 17, 2018 at 7:55 am
This clueless governor that has not supported anybody from his hometown is talking in the interest of herdsmen. Cow governor. Fuck off
Anonymous
February 16, 2018 at 9:13 pm
This is what.I prof Rodriguez Pence told ipob that the world including SE Governors, will only hear You and respect you, at the field.imagine a slave like umahi threatening to hand over biafran territory into the hand of West Africa jeehad movement AKA fulani herdsmen.without fear of any retaliation from the IPOB defense force (idf)i only urges Ipob to change tactics
Anonymous
February 16, 2018 at 9:05 pm
Okpo
Anonymous
February 16, 2018 at 8:49 pm
Waste of time and creating more problems for himself if he try it
Anonymous
February 16, 2018 at 6:43 pm
I think the man has gone insane
Wilson
February 16, 2018 at 5:41 pm
David Umahi you see how low your brain is that the Hausa/Fulani used you to mediate in Benue/Taraba herdsmen killings? Now they have asked you to provide land for grazing. Remember that Benue is bordered to Ebonyi. So the next attack is surely ebony I state after giving them the land. You give them grazing land and see.
BiafraUnited
February 16, 2018 at 4:17 pm
Ebonyi people should vote out this idiot.
Anonymous
February 16, 2018 at 11:28 am
ANU NKITA
Anonymous
February 16, 2018 at 11:17 am
He is on his own
Anonymous
February 16, 2018 at 10:44 am
How many Igbo man has he given land to do farm? He must be sick
Anonymous
February 16, 2018 at 10:33 am
Fulani headsmen is not welcome in Biafra land besides umia don’t own land in Ebony’s state
Anonymous
February 16, 2018 at 10:24 am
Evil funani slave man, it won’t work out for you
Anonymous
February 16, 2018 at 9:43 am
Madness
Anonymous
February 16, 2018 at 9:42 am
Am not surprise
Anonymous
February 16, 2018 at 9:38 am
Ezi bida, all na wash, if he get him land make him give out, ebonyi people go resist am
Anonymous
February 16, 2018 at 9:36 am
your again it will not work this Evil movement
Anonymous
February 16, 2018 at 9:35 am
His brain need to be check-up
because something iz wrong with him, maybe Buhari haz brainwashed him