Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State on Friday vowed that the state government will resist monetary inducement by the federal government to back down on the law prohibiting open grazing in the state. He declared that Ondo State would reject funding to trace grazing routes in the state.
Governor Akeredolu maintained that there is no grazing root anywhere in Ondo State, thus, funding the monitoring of grazing routes in the state is unnecessary. The governor insisted on modern means of animal husbandry within a distinct location than the old method of moving from place to place.
Governor Akeredolu speaking on Channels television of Friday monitored from Lagos by National Daily, had declared inter alia: “Ondo State has not received any money. But if money is being given out to trace grazing routes, you can be sure that Ondo State will not receive that.
“There is no grazing route anywhere; we are not going to allow that to happen.
“We have seen modern animal husbandry. That is what should be our concern now. We are not to allow routes; routes to where?”
Governor Akeredolu maintained that the anti-grazing bill passed by the Ondo State House of Assembly which he signed into law on August 31, has come to stay.
Governor Akeredolu, Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum, insisted that there is no going back on the law as being decided by the Southern Governors in Asaba, Delta State.
The governor affirmed that Ondo State encourages ranching for livestock than open grazing.
According to Governor Akeredolu: “We are saying you will not graze in the open. We have passed the law. So, there is no route, we are going to allow anybody to trace in Ondo State.
“What we have said is very clear. But if there is money for us to have ranches, we are encouraging ranching. “There is nothing wrong with it. I have always argued this point.”