The Fulani socio-cultural group, Miyetti-Allah Cattle Breeders Association, (MACBAN), has warned that a cow could cost N2 million if the anti-grazing Bill is passed into law in Lagos State.
The Zonal Secretary of the association in the South-West, Maikudi Usman, stated this during a one-day public hearing organised by the Lagos State House of Assembly.
According to him, “If cattle are bred in one place, the price could go up to about N2 million each. A Fulani man moves from one place to another to ply his trade; however, we have some bad eggs that are causing trouble”, he stated.
Usman said rearing cows openly is cheaper than keeping them in one place (ranching), and urged the Lagos State government to assist the cattle breeders.
He also pleaded with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration to subsidise the cost of raising the cattle in one location.
This is coming as the Lagos State House of Assembly yesterday passed the State’s Value-Added Tax (VAT) and the Bill that prohibits open cattle-grazing.
The Chairman of Lagos State Butchers Association of Lagos State, Alabi Bamidele Kazeem, also argued that “rearing animals in one location could be expensive”.
He described the Bill as “all-embracing and would ensure a symbiotic relationship between cattle rearers and farmers”.
