ENUGU — RECENTLY, the association of town unions in Igbo land (ASITA), raised issues over the plan by the Federal Government to acquire land in Imo State and other parts of South-East region to build cattle ranches. Although the modalities for the project were not clearly outlined by the government, especially on who runs such ranches, the group rejected the idea. They said ranching is a private business which individuals should use their resources to buy land, set it up and run it like any other business. They wondered why the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Livestock Development, should single out cattle business to fund to the detriment of other businesses. ASITA, through its National President, Chief Emeka Diwe said Igbo are already faced with severe paucity of land and have no such land to be acquired by the government and said that the move is suspicious and provocative. Reacting to the issue, a cross section of people from the South- East region, including monarchs, women and youth groups, agreed with ASITA and opposed the idea.

FG’s involvement in cattle ranching is highly suspicious —Ralph Obioha

A prominent Igbo leader, Chief Ralph Obioha, said the involvement of the Federal Government in the ranching business is suspicious and should be questioned.

Obioha noted that his suspicion of the FG’s aim is based on the incessant communal conflicts arising from indiscriminate movement of cows and people unknown to locals. He said that ranching should strictly be a private business which ought to be structured and managed privately.

“Ranching should strictly be a private enterprise and should be structured and managed privately. Why is the FG involving itself in ranching? What should be the model that will require the involvement of the FG in ranching? The FG should not involve itself in a private business unless it has other motives.

“I strongly oppose this idea of the federal government’s involvement in the ranching business. My suspicion is based on the rampant communal conflicts arising out of the uncontrolled movement of people unknown to the locals”, Obioha said.




https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/03/we-dont-want-cattle-ranches-in-our-communities-south-east-residents/