Delta Inaugurates 1st Batch Of Livestock Management Operatives On Open Grazing

Determined to regulate open grazing, the Delta State government has inaugurated the first batch of  45 -man Livestock Management Operatives (DLMO) in line with provisions of its law.

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa had on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021 inaugurated the State Livestock Management Committee (DLMC).

Dr Godfrey Enita, the chairman, State Livestock Management Committee (DLMC) and Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, performed the inauguration at the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, (NSCDC) state command headquarters in Asaba.

According to him, the committee was inaugurated with a change to implement the state livestock, breeding, rearing and marketing regulations Law, 2012 in the best interest of the citizens of the state.

“The law was basically enacted to among others stop open grazing of livestock, encourage sustainable humane breeding, production and husbandry and marketing of livestock.

“It was to prevent herders and farmers crisis with its attendant loss of lives and  investments which is a threat to the state’s drive to food security and to enhance safety and harmonious living among herders and farmers in the state.

He noted that the DLMO had been trained in basic course for operative, adding that they would be directly supervised by their respective Local Government Area Special Taskforce.

He said their major role was surveillance and providing information on potential rel threats with regards to farming and herders issues to the LGA special Taskforce and security agencies in their area.

The DLMC chairman said the committee had before now created the needed awareness on the demands of the law for all critical stakeholders; Arewa community, Myetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Cattle Dealers, resident Fulani herders among others.

Earlier, the NSCDC State Commandant, Suleiman Jimoh, represented by the HOD Critical National Assets Infrastructure, (CNAI), DCC John Ozowara, assured that the operatives were fully trained to assume their duties.