Traditional chiefs in Iyin-Ekiti have clarified the rationale behind the community’s policy restricting the free roaming of goats and other domestic animals, saying the measure is aimed at promoting responsible animal ownership, sanitation, environmental protection and public safety rather than generating revenue.
The chiefs clarified this while addressing newsmen in Iyin EKiti, following what they described as a gross misrepresentation of the decision taken by the Oluyin-in-Council and the Ajo Ilu, the assembly of the people of Iyin-Ekiti, about two years ago.
According to the chiefs, the policy requires owners and rearers of goats and other ruminants to keep their animals properly enclosed and prevent them from roaming freely within the town.
Speaking on the policy, the Odofinyin of Iyin EKiti, High Chief Ayodeji Esan explained that the imposition of fines where animals are seized should not be interpreted as evidence that the policy was designed as a revenue-generating scheme.
“The fine is not the policy, compliance is the objective,” the statement said, stressing that if animal owners comply with the regulation, “there is nothing to seize and no fine to pay.”
Also, Petu of Iyin EKiti, High Chief Bayo Akerele said the restriction was introduced because roaming goats could defecate on roads and public spaces, destroy trees planted to beautify the town, damage plants and gardens, and create other avoidable nuisances.
On his own, Odofin of Iyin EKiti, High Chief Ibikunle Olubobokun argued that the policy was consistent with the broader principle contained in Ekiti State law, particularly the Prohibition of Cattle and Other Ruminants’ Grazing in Ekiti State (First Amendment) Law, 2018, No. 1 of 2018.
He said the law provides that no person shall cause or permit cattle or other ruminants under his ownership or control to graze on land that has not been designated as a ranch by the Governor.
The community leaders said the provision demonstrates that the principle of controlling animals under human ownership is not new or alien to Ekiti.
The traditional chiefs recalled that Iyin-Ekiti had previously taken community decisions concerning animals, including measures involving dogs following deaths associated with rabies-infected dogs in the 1970s, as well as a decision concerning the rearing of pigs where owners could not keep them properly enclosed.
The chiefs stressed that the policy does not prevent residents from keeping goats, but places responsibility on owners to ensure that their animals do not roam uncontrolled and impose consequences on other members of the community.
“Nobody is saying that people should not rear goats in Iyin,” the statement said. “The issue is whether goat owners should be allowed to externalise the consequences of their animals’ uncontrolled movement onto everyone.”
While acknowledging that concerns about the manner of enforcement could legitimately be raised, the leaders said such concerns should be addressed separately from the legitimacy and objectives of the policy.
They stated that the ultimate objective was “a cleaner, safer, more orderly and more beautiful Iyin,” adding that responsible animal ownership was central to achieving that goal.
