Catholic Bishops Want FG To Drop Grazing Bill

Catholic Bishop in Enugu State
have called on the Federal Government to drop the idea of grazing bill to   forestall ethnic crises on the country.
The bishop made the call after embarking on the 20-kilometre peaceful procession with over 7,000 Catholic faithful in Enugu in participation.
The Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga said that Nigerians were already suffering so much on account of the present economic hardship, stressing that free grazing in communities in the South would further compound the hardship.
Onaga who also spoke on behalf of Catholic Bishops of Nsukka and Awgu Dioceses noted that would amount to government abdicating its responsibility of providing security for the people.
“As responsibility citizens clergymen, spiritual leaders and opinion leaders, we have been praying about and deliberating on those mounting challenges.
At the end of a long prayer session with the members of our flock and after careful consultations with thoughtful men and women across the state, we have come to the following conclusions.
That the free grazing of cattle in our area has now become a threat not only to the growing of crops, which is the mainstay of our sedentary people but also to our lives.
“That the nomadic lifestyle males policing and the pursuit of criminals much more complex and hazardous,” he said.
The bishop urged community leaders to refrain from entering into agreements with herdsmen or with any other groups of persons that would create room for tension and crisis.
“We would advise that all such agreements already in existence be renegotiated in a way that would ensure justice for all t he parties.
“Finally, may we all intensify our prayers for peace, unity and harmony in Nigeria, while resolving to collaborate with God’s grace in making it a great country,” he added.
Also, addressing the Catholic faithful, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State lauded the church for the peaceful procession as well as organising its faithful in an orderly manner.