League of Anambra Professionals, a group of very accomplished persons in the various professions including law, have written the state governor, Mr. Willie Obiano, demanding an urgent ban of open grazing in the state.
The message was contained in the letter dated August 16, 2021, and signed by Chijioke Okoli, SAN, (Orji Nnewi), on behalf of the group.
The group expressed disappointment that Anambra is not among the states which have enacted the law, saying the process should have been kickstarted by an executive bill.
The group, therefore, offer Mr. Obiano any technical assistance it may require to see that the law is enacted as a matter of urgency.
The letter, titled “RE: Urgent enactment of law for the prohibition of open grazing in Anambra State“, reads in full:
“We refer to the above referenced subject and would avoid restating the obvious necessity for emplacement of such legislation and its robust enforcement.
Suffice it at this onset to advert to the industrial scale murder, rape, arson and other serious crimes with devastating disruption of the social order perpetrated by terrorists who are masquerading as herdsmen engaged in open grazing of cattle.
It is axiomatic that the unsustainable practice of open grazing, in addition to being inherently disruptive of peaceful farming activities, has proven to be the cover for murderous terrorists despoiling our land and populations.
Prohibition of open grazing would, therefore, go a long way in curbing this grave problem.
It was with tremendous relief that the vast majority of the indigenes and residents of the 17 southern states greeted news of the resolution of their governors, including your good self, upon their meeting of July 5, 2021 in Asaba, to ban open grazing in all their territories.
They went on to prescribe a September 30, 2021 deadline.
With recent news reports cataloguing the states which have enacted the relevant legislation and those taking concrete steps towards doing so, it is therefore curious that no mention was made of Anambra State amongst the number of the diligent states.
It is in the light of the foregoing considerations that we decided to formally request you to kindly share with us the steps your government has taken, and is taking, to see that the law to prohibit open grazing is quickly enacted in Anambra State.
We expect, as is the case in the states which have enacted/is enacting the law, that the process would be/has been kickstarted by an executive bill.
As you do know, amongst the membership of the League of Anambra Professionals are very accomplished persons in the various professions including law.
We are also by this letter, offering your government any technical assistance it may require to see that the law is enacted as a matter of urgency. As we look forward to your prompt response, please rest assured of our highest regards.
As we look forward to your prompt response, please rest assured of our highest regards.”