The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria’s FCT chapter has pledged that no cows will be seen roaming the streets of Abuja during the presidential inauguration on May 29. This was disclosed by Janet Peni, the Deputy Director of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), according to a statement released on Wednesday in Abuja. Usman Muhammad, the Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, FCT chapter, promised to ensure that the city is cleared and cleaned for a “visitor” by their culture’s standards; the in-coming government. He revealed that during a meeting with the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, and Dubai investors, discussions centered on investment in improved cattle rearing in the state for greater profits and modern methods of cattle rearing. The Chairman called on the incoming government to help tackle cattle rustling, which poses a significant threat; as, he narrated the theft of over 300 cows from his blood brother. He also requested that the Ministry provide grazing areas for herders to permanently relocate their cattle.
The Director of AEPB, Osi Braimah, stated that the meeting was convened to brainstorm with the leadership of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, FCT Chapter on finding a lasting solution to the problem of cattle grazing in the FCT. He emphasized that cattle grazing in the state is illegal, stating that a quarterly meeting is held to address the matter. However, due to the huge event soon to take place in the city, the need to make the city neat and clean prompted the meeting. It is anticipated that at the inauguration, over 47 Presidents, heads of states, and other foreign dignitaries will grace the event.
The chairman of AMAC branch of the association, Adamu Rabo, assured the director that the message to apprise all herdsmen of the need to cooperate with authorities to ensure that the inauguration is peaceful and successful, in a sanitised environment, would be conveyed. Likewise, a message would be sent to the herders not to graze their cattle on the streets of Abuja, he said.
Furthermore, a resolution was reached by both parties not to wander around the FCT with cows, and any herder found flouting the law would be arrested along with their cattle by a combined team of AEPB enforcement officers and law enforcement agencies already on the ground. The AEPB director revealed that AEPB is doing its best to keep the city tidy in preparation for the inauguration, adhering to high standards it has set for itself and justifying the tremendous support received by the FCT Minister.
