The Delta Government and Association of Local Governments of Nigeria are to engage vigilantes and hunters to check activities of criminal herders in the state.
This decision, was reached in Asaba when the Chairman, Delta State Livestock Management Committee, Chief Julius Egbedi, led a meeting with the Chairmen of the 25 Local Government Areas in the state.
He said that Governor Ifeanyi Okowa has enacted a livestock law and set up the DLMC to reach out and interface with various stakeholders to ensure a hitch-free and peaceful implementation of the law across the state.
Egbedi said: “The State Government will also set up task force in all the LGAs.
“The task force will be equipped with all it entails to ensure security of our farmers.”
He said the committee has visited the Nigerian Army, traditional rulers and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in Asaba to seek their collaboration.
He said the committee will hold meetings with other critical stakeholders in the various communities to sensitise them on the e law.
In his reaction, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government Affairs, Kelly Penawou, lauded Okowa for the initiative and expressed delight in the commitment of the committee members since inauguration.
Penawou said if the law is diligently implemented, it will bring back peace and farmers in the state would go about their businesses without fear.
Also, the State Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria, Victor Ebonka, said the inauguration of the committee was apt taking into cognisance the farmers/herders menace, which has negatively impacted agriculture and the economy of the state.
Ebonka said that ALGON remains a major and principal stakeholder and assured that all the council chairmen would work with the committee to ensure that the law was effectively implemented in all part of the state.
He charged the council chairmen to adopt strategies and techniques to confront the criminally minded people.
On his part, the Chairman, Ukwani LGA, Possible Ajede, suggested that in constituting the LGA task force, credible and reliable men from the communities should be engaged.
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