C’River Lawmaker Calls For Abolition Of Open Grazing In Calabar Metropolis

In a bid to promote healthy living and reinforce Calabar’s statues as Nigeria’s cleanest city, a state Lawmaker, Hon. Ovat Agbor Monday in Calabar moved for enforcement of open grazing laws in the Calabar metropolis to curb incessant trespasses of domestic animals constituting nuisance.

In a well researched Motion presented at the floor of Assembly, Hon. Ovat Agbor, Member representing Obubra 1 State Constituency, Cross River State House of Assembly noted with dismay the numerous health challenges posed by animal dumps on the streets and residential areas with grave consequences on state image as Nigeria’s famous tourism hub.

The outspoken parliamentarian prayed for invocation of relevant laws on animal control as well as extension of invitation to concerned Ministries, Departments and Agencies for public explanations on the ugly trend.

He noted that the culture of dirty environment including Farmers/Herders clashes was immune from the Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu’s led administration poised to leave indelible prints on environmental sustainability. In his words 

“The reason for this Motion is that Calabar is seen as one of the cleanest cities and highly symbolic in the Nigeria’s political history.

“In Africa today, Cross River State is regarded so much in terms of tourism with the Carnival Calabar regarded as Africa’s biggest street party among other tourism potentials in the state.

For Tourists to come from all over the world to see the menace of cattle’s, goats, dogs, and fowls on the streets and residential homes causing havoc to our green scenery is a disservice that is not acceptable. He asserted.

On growing concern of Farmers and Herders associated with straying domestic animals, Hon. Ovat Agbor emphasized state government priority is to ensure stakeholders in the agricultural subsector coexist without frictions. He says

“Cross River State is committed to eliminating Farmers and Herders crisis with this motion which seeks to confine domestic animals to their locales.

To ensure adequate food security, we will protect farmers with the best of laws to grow more crops for the good of all.

I will make sure I protect farmers because my constituents are mostly peasant farmers.

This people-oriented administration of Prince Otu will take drastic measures to ensure the right thing is done.”

Hon. Ovat stated.

Questioned why the Motion was focused on Calabar metropolis only, the Obubra born parliamentarian said this was predicated on her vantage position as state capital, adding that other local government areas in the state have domesticated similar laws on handling animals husbandary, awaiting activation by various Council legislative Assembly.

In their separate but United views, other Lawmakers who contributed to the Motion yielded their support for the legislation termed timely and important.

They urged other local government areas in the state to activate their indigenous laws that provides for ecological preservation and sustainability.