Udu Council Chair, Oyibode unveils Delta livestock laws ...hosts stakeholders' meeting

The Executive Chairman of Udu Local Government Council, Olorogun (Hon.) Vincent Enormous Oyibode, JP FCIA, has  held a stakeholders' meeting over Delta State livestock law.

The meeting which took place on  November 8, 2024, at the Steve Sokoh Hall, Udu Council Secretariat was well attended by  Community leaders, the Cow Dealers Association, Rearers Association, Butchers Association, the Hausa Community, security agencies, and other relevant bodies. 

The meeting which  was aimed at the  effective implementation of the Delta State Livestock Breeding, Rearing, and Marketing Law, 2021— was a  landmark legislation aimed at  modernising livestock management practices in the state.

In his address, Olorogun Oyibode emphasized the importance of the law, which seeks to regulate livestock activities, reduce conflicts between herders and farmers, and eliminate the disruptive effects of open grazing in Delta State. He underscored the need for a collaborative efforts  among all stakeholders to foster a peaceful and  secure  productive  environment for agriculture and livestock management.

The Udu Council Chairman said there was need for a comprehensive public awareness campaign to ensure people understand  the new law. According to him, the campaign will be showcased  both electronic: radio, television, the print media: newspapers and  social media platforms. 

He said this would help to inform Udu residents about the law’s provisions and its benefits. According to the Udu Council boss,  Oyibode  plans are under way for the  creation of a  livestock market in Udu, which will provide  space for livestock trading and support local farmers as this would prevent  livestock from encroaching on agricultural lands.

According to him, to ensure smooth implementation of this laudable plan, there would be  taskforce to work  closely with security agencies and community representatives to enforce the law to give room for law and order as regards  livestock sector.

He said the key provisions of the Delta State Livestock Breeding, Rearing, and Marketing Law and  ban on open grazing.According to him, the  law prohibits open grazing across Delta State  as this would  prevent conflicts between herders and  farmers in one hand and  protect farmland from intrusion on the other.

Udu Council Chair also said there would promotion of ranching as will  encourage a sustainable and modern method of livestock breeding and rearing that offers  a controlled environment that minimizes disruption to farming and residential areas. 

According  to him, there would be mandatory registration and licensing livestock breeders and marketers as they must register with the state government and obtain licenses to operate to ensure  compliance and effective regulation of the industry. He said there would penalties for non-compliance and violations of the law which according to him, be  unauthorized grazing as that would incur  penalties such as fines and possible jail terms to serve  as a deterrent to illegal practices.

He said, there would be environmental protection law aimed  to reduce the environmental damage caused by unregulated grazing, promote  a healthier ecosystem for both rural and urban communities. He said, there is efficient use of land resources which  seeks to optimize land use across Delta State to ensure that land is used responsibly for the benefit of all residents.

According to him, there would be disease control and livestock quality  law which  includes measures to control livestock diseases and ensure the production of high-quality livestock, which will meet both local and international standards.

The Council boss also said there would be support for large-scale farming which would be done by  regulating grazing as the  law  would create a more conducive environment for large-scale crop and livestock production, boosting the local economy and providing opportunities for growth.

Olorogun Oyibode reaffirmed his commitment to promoting peace, unity, and sustainable development in Udu. He encouraged all stakeholders to view the Livestock Law as a collective step toward long-term progress,to ensure that the  council  has peace,  security, and prosperity for all. 

According to him, with the  successful implementation of programme, farmers can work with confidence, with the knowledge that  their crops will be protected from livestock encroachment, which, in turn, will contribute to enhanced food production and economic growth.

He said, this initiative aligns with broader efforts across Nigeria to address the farmer-herder conflict and promote sustainable livestock practices as this foster co-operation between government bodies, community groups, and other stakeholders saying that aims to ensure that Udu as local government area continues to grow as a safe and prosperous hub for both agriculture and livestock management.