Cases of open grazing have been on the rise within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja and its adjoining communities, Kristina Reports investigation has shown.

This situation is the direct opposite of what the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike promised residents of the city at the beginning of the year 2024.

Wike, had in March 2024 assured the residents of the FCT that he had initiated comprehensive discussions with key stakeholders on the importance of ending cattle roaming in the city.

Remember that in 2021, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) had banned open grazing within the city centre but the ban was ignored by herdsmen.

A stroll around areas such as Berger and Wuse market axis would reveal that open grazing is still very much practiced within the city as cows and herdsmen can be seen taking strolls around the city in the evenings.

This has led to the pollution of the environment with cow dung. Pedestrians have to watch and take steps very carefully to avoid stepping into a heap of dung dropped by the cows on the paths.

In an interview with Kristina Reports, some pedestrians around Wuse Market today, September 7, 2024, complained of the fact that the problem has not yet been solved by the government.

A pedestrian and a resident, who simply identified himself as John, complained that only two days ago, he stepped into a heap of cow dung at Sky Memorial while he was walking towards Berger.

“This problem has been happening for a long time now. The Government has made a lot of promises but nothing has changed. Just on Thursday, on my way to Berger to take a cab to Kubwa, I stepped on cow dung. It was very embarrassing. Please something needs to be done about it.”

Cynthia noted that the open grazing issue is just not limited to the city centres but also happened in satellite twins like Lugbe and Kubwa.

“I stay in Lugbe and almost every day, there is a herd of cows just walking across the road causing traffic and dirting the whole place. They scare me, so, when I see cows, I always run. Imagine a grown woman like me running from cows. Please something needs to be done.”