The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has declared that open grazing of cattle in Abuja is prohibited and will be stopped.
Wike made this declaration on Monday when he resumed office as the FCT Minister in Abuja.
Wike said that he would engage with the herdsmen to find a lasting solution to the problem of open grazing, which he said was detrimental to the environment and security of the city.
He said that the herdsmen could rear their cattle outside the city limits, where there are enough grasses for them, but they would not be allowed to graze on the grasses planted for the beautification of the city.
He said, “We will consult with the herdsmen to see how we will stop [open grazing] because we cannot allow cows inside the city.
“They can be outside the city because the grasses are outside the city. The grasses in city were planted to beautify the city. It is not that one that they would eat.
“So, we will discuss. Let us say it, you are trying inside the [presidential] Villa for example, and you see about 20,000 to 40,000 goats, if foreigners see that, how would they feel?”
Wike also vowed to crack down on illegal markets in the FCT. He said that he would not tolerate any form of lawlessness and indiscipline in the city. He said that he would work with the relevant agencies to ensure that all markets in the FCT are properly regulated and sanitized.
He said, “We will not allow illegal markets in the FCT. We will work with the market management board and other agencies to ensure that all markets are well organized and clean.
“We will not allow any market to block roads or cause traffic congestion in the city. We will enforce discipline and order in the FCT.”
