24th May, 2023
By Abigael Joshua
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has promised that no cow will be seen loitering the streets of Abuja, during the Presidential inauguration on May 29.
This is contained in a statement issued by Mrs Janet Peni, the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) Deputy Director information on Wednesday in Abuja.
Speaking, the Chairman of MACBAN, FCT chapter, Alhaji Usman Muhammad said “we will help to ensure that no cow is seen loitering the citycentre before the big day.
“It is our culture to receive a visitor in a very clean and tidy environment and in this case, the in-coming Government is the visitor.
“We promise to clear and clean the city for a government that we elected,”.
Muhammad stated that the meeting was not only timely but also strategic because it allowed them to bring their issues to the notice of the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello.
He recalled meeting with the FCT Minister and other Dubai investors who expressed interest in investing in improved cattle rearing in the FCT for higher profit.
According to him, this has the potential to generate cash for both the FCT Administration and local cattle rearers, as well as introduce herders to modern cow rearing methods.
He expressed confidence about hearing from the FCT administration about the next steps.
The chairman urged the next government to assist them since cattle rustling remains a major issue, citing the theft of over 300 cows from his blood brother lately.
Also speaking, Alhaji Adamu Rabo, chairman of the association’s Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) branch, promised to immediately convey the message to every herder in his domain about the importance of cooperating with the government to ensure that the inauguration is conducted peacefully and successfully in a tidy and neat environment.
He assured that a message would be convened to herders not to allow their cows graze on the streets of FCT.
Rabo appealed to the FCT minister to urgently provide grazing areas to herders in the FCT where they can immediately relocate their cows to, for a lasting solution.
In his opening remarks, Director AEPB, Mr Osi Braimah, stated that the meeting was meant to rob minds with leaders of Miyetti Allah cattle breeders association, FCT Chapter on finding a lasting solution to the intractable problem of cattle grazing in the FCT.
“As we all know that cattle grazing in the FCT is against the law, and in a bid to resolve the problem, quarterly meetings are held to address the matter.
“It is more pressing now, because soonest the entire world will be focused on not just Nigeria, but on Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city, the venue of the inauguration of Nigeria’s President-elect.
“The inauguration which will host over 47 Presidents and heads of states and other important dignitaries across the globe, hence the need to keep the city very clean and to ensure that no cow is seen grazing in the FCT and its environs,” Braimah noted.
He stated that they had all reached a decision and had received guarantees from both the chairman of the FCT chapter and the chairman of the AMAC branch of the organisation not to loiter in the FCT with cows.
Furthermore, he warned that any herder caught breaking the law would be arrested with their livestock by a combined team of AEPB enforcement personnel and law enforcement authorities such as the police and others currently on the ground.
The AEPB director disclosed that the agency is doing its utmost to maintain the city clean in preparation for the inauguration and beyond, upholding the very high standards it has set for itself and justifying the FCT Minister’s amazing support.
Also speaking, Alhaji Adamu Rabo, chairman of the association’s Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) branch, promised to immediately convey the message to every herder in his domain about the importance of cooperating with the government to ensure that the inauguration is conducted peacefully and successfully in a tidy and neat environment.
NAN