By Vera Chinonso Aliyu, YeyeNews.com, October 12, 2021
The federal government of Nigeria has concluded plans to begin construction of what they refer to as Cow Lanes in major cities across the country to forestall the menace of cows intruding into major highways and causing avoidable accidents and traffic gridlock, a source in the Ministry of Works told YeyeNews.com.
“The proposal came from the Ministry of Agriculture. The presidency has approved and mandated the Minister of Works to carry out a detailed feasibility study including the cost implications of the project and submit the results within 30 days”, the source recounted”. He further added that the inspiration for the idea came from the BRT lanes which are dedicated lanes for BRT buses in Lagos and it was Miyetti Allah that advanced the idea to the federal government after their representative came back from the UK to study cow lane implementations.
A Director in the Ministry of Works confirmed to YeyeNews.com reporter that they have already started work on the feasibility study for the project. “It is a big project. The lanes will be equipped with shrub gardens and water ponds in designated points to nourish the animals as they sojourn through a city. These points will function like rest areas for the cows. We estimate it will require about $500 million to construct a pilot scheme in ten major cities in the country. If it is satisfactory, we will then extend it to more cities.”
Residents of Abuja who spoke to YeyeNews.com reporter expressed mixed reactions to the project. One Udom Rotimi accused the government of placing more value on the welfare of cows than it does for humans. “Cows now get better deals from this government than many Nigerians. How can a government be devoting so much fund to construct roads for cows while humans beings are left to struggle to navigate gully ridden roads? This is sad. Some people in this country now wish they are cows under this government.”
Another resident, Mallam Sheda, however praised the government for the initiative. “This will help to give the herdsmen and their cows a sense of belonging. They have been neglected for too long. But this government is trying to change the story for them. Herders in UK used to have cow lanes, so Nigeria will not be the first.”
