Igbo Elders Strongly Oppose Cattle Colony Policy

Igbo Elders Council has condemned the proposed cattle colonies policy by the Federal Government.

The elders vowed to firmly oppose any attempt by the Federal Government to extend its cattle colony policy to South East states.

Naija News recalls that some weeks back, the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbe proposed the implementation of cattle colony policy as alternative to the open grazing, which had caused the prolonged herdsmen-farmers clash in different states of the federation.

The policy has been faced with mixed reactions, with there being more voiced disapproval and outright condemnation as opposed to support for the policy.

Following an emergency meeting of the Igbo elders in Abuja, on Thursday, Eze Igbo in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Ibe Nwosu, addressed journalist saying the policy was not people friendly.

The royal father, thus, cautioned South East state governors against giving/leasing any land in the region for such “politically” motivated policy.

“South East is, unarguably, one of the most densely populated regions in sub-sahara Africa. Its land resources has come under constant pressure recently, resulting in prevalence gully erosion in different locations.

“Any additional pressure and appropriation of land, through the creation of ‘political’ cattle colonies, would further aggravate the situation rather than ameliorate it. It will further reduce the, hitherto, insufficient arable farmlands for our people.

“We must also remind the Federal Government that Igbo people still practice shifting cultivation.”

Hence, the Igbo leaders,  advised the government to go the way of ranching or better still adopt other technologically advanced system of cattle rearing that encourage improved milk and beef production.

Meanwhile, the ex-governor of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, speaking after the emergency meeting said the elders also discussed the issue of restructuring.

He said the Igbo Elders Council discussed the issue of restructuring extensively and reaffirmed its support and call for the restructuring of Nigeria’s governance system.