I’ll bargain with herdsmen in Abuja about open grazing – Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, declares that herders will be consulted on the subject of open grazing in Abuja by the FCT Administration.

After inspecting a few road improvements in Abuja on Saturday, Wike responded to questions from reporters by saying that cows would be let to graze in the suburbs but not in the city centre.

“We will properly consult before making any decisions, so that no one will claim that you failed to inform them or communicate with them before making that choice.

We’ll invite the cattle people to sit with them, we’ll say. We cannot continue to let things be this way. Although within the city, we did not say that there would be no cattle in Abuja.

“Like I said, we’ll tackle each one in turn.

“You know Nigerians are used to hearing “nothing will happen.” Like when we discuss the cancellation of a land lease and the payment of ground rent; despite predictions to the contrary, it has actually occurred.

According to Wike, “Even you (journalists), disseminating the information, you must do so in a way that you are not trying to cause crises between the government and the general public.”

When buses are offered as alternatives, Wike said he will make a firm decision regarding the ban on commercial motorbike operators in specific areas of the FCT.

“We were unable to supply the buses that would have been the people’s option, therefore we did not make a firm decision.

The government must first offer a substitute before requesting that motorbike drivers leave the city’s core.

This is to prevent you from asking them to leave and causing hardship to the populace, he continued.