Open Grazing, Bush Burning Remain Banned In Bayelsa, Says Gov
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Those who delight in using their own business to inconvenience other people in Bayelsa State, including those who graze in the open as well as those who burn bushes, have been reminded to stop forthwith or get ready to face the music.
The state governor, Senator Douye Diri, in reminding the people of the laws banning open grazing and bush burning said anyone who flout the laws would be arrested and prosecuted, even as he tasked relevant enforcement agencies to be on the look-out for defaulters.
“We banned open grazing in this state in 2022 and it remains banned. It is a crime for any herder to destroy any farm.
“All relevant agencies are hereby directed that no herder should be allowed into our bushes. By our laws, no herder has the authority to destroy our farmlands. I call on our brothers from the north to know that in Bayelsa State you cannot do open grazing.
“All community leaders are hereby called upon to ensure that within their domain, no cattle herder is found involved in open grazing. Our laws against open grazing must be implemented to the fullest
“Hon. Commissioner for Information, educate our people that bush burning is not an option. Let me call on our people to stop bush burning,” the governor charged, at the 148th meeting of the state executive council, the first after his return from annual vacation.
The governor said the state cannot afford a situation where farmlands were been destroyed by herders, saying Bayelsa was open to all for business but the laws protecting all residents of the state must be obeyed
He also cautioned residents of the state against bush burning, saying there were better ways of farming that do not harm the people and the environment.
Diri also announced the willingness of his government to make concessions to improve the striking academic staff of the state-owned Niger Delta University, promising that their welfare was paramount to his government.
While urging the lecturers to end their strike and return to work, Diri stressed that his administration holds lecturers in high esteem and was willing to listen to their demands.
“Let me call on ASUU that strikes should be the last resort and I invite them to come back to negotiation. The issues can be amicably resolved.
“Government is willing to ensure that the welfare of lecturers and of our workers is prioritised. Let us look at the future of our children and the younger ones. We hold lecturers in high esteem in this state,” he said.
