Farmer Calls For Legislation On Cattle Movement

A farmer from
Rumuodogo Community in the Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mr Nfata Mathias, has called for legislation to check the movement of cattle in the state.
Mathias, who came up with this while speaking to our correspondent at his country home, Monday, said the move would check any possible outbreak of hostilities between farmers and herdsmen.
According to him, more often than not, cattle stray into farms and cause damage to crops with no apologises from those handling the animals.
He said but for the peaceful disposition of his people, what has been happening in the North between farmers and herdsmen could have been replicated in the South.
While still lamenting the damage and the economic losses incurred by the mostly subsistence farmers, he said it was regretable that past and present local government councils have not taken the matter seriously.
He therefore called on the owners of the cattle to call their handlers to order to avoid any out break of law and order between the farming communities and the herdsmen.
On efforts so far made by the farmers to check the incursions, he said individuals have made several contacts with the  owners of the cattle at Ahoada and Elele but so far, nothing positive has come out of such outings.