Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The newly-inaugurated Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has vowed to put an end to open grazing in Abuja.
According to Wike, herdsmen can rear their cattle outside the city but will henceforth not be allowed to roam the streets of Abuja with their cattle.
The former Rivers State Governor who spoke during his assumption of office as FCT Minister in Abuja on Monday, also vowed to restore security of lives and property in the FCT.
Wike who said he had not come to fly any party’s flag in Abuja vowed to restore the sanity of FCT.
“We will consult with the herdsmen to see how we will stop open grazing because we cannot allow cows inside the city.
“They can be outside the city because the grasses are outside the city. The grasses in the city were planted to beautify the city. It is not that one that they would eat.
“So, we will discuss. Let us say it, you are driving inside the presidential Villa for example, and you see about 20,000 to 40,000 goats, if foreigners see that, how would they feel?”
The former Governor of Rivers further vowed to close down illegal markets in Abuja.
“We are not going to tolerate the issue of everywhere is market. Yes, I know that things are difficult, but that doesn’t mean you should cause crises for other people. You are looking for what to put in your stomach, it must be done within the framework of the law.
“In a city, people are selling with umbrellas under the trees. These things caused insecurity. We cannot allow it,” he said.
Wike said he would not be tired of revoking the Certificate of Occupancy issued to persons not ready to develop their lands.
