From Heritage Odih, Abeokuta
The bill on Animal Grazing and Cattle Ranch Establishment Law of Ogun State, 2020 has scaled through the second reading on the floor of the House of Assembly.
The 26 - lawmaker Assembly led by Speaker Kunle Oluomo, assured during plenary on Tuesday that when operational, it will prevent destruction of farmlands and checkmate incessant attacks and killings of innocent citizens by herders.
Since the return of democracy in 1999, over 30 villagers - mainly rural farmers in the Gateway State, have reportedly been murdered in cold blood during series of attacks on the victims by suspected violent herdsmen who indiscriminately use their cattle to ravage farmlands, crops and community streams through their open grazing style of animal rearing.
But opening debate for the second reading of the Bill shortly after a motion moved by the Minority Leader and sponsor, Ganiyu Oyedeji, seconded by Hon. Yusuf Adejojo and supported by the Whole House through a voice vote, Oyedeji explained that the essence of the bill was to promote peaceful co-existence by curbing clashes between farmers and herders as a result of destruction of farmlands by nomads.
He noted that the bill was proposed to ensure peaceful atmosphere for existing and prospective herders to set up ranches for their cattle, adding that its implementation would further boost agricultural practices, particularly animal husbandry in the State.
In their separate submissions, Honourables Adejojo, Adeyanju Adegoke, Sola Adams and Amosun Yusuf, stated that the bill, when passed and eventually signed into law by the State Governor, would curb environmental pollution, reduces farmers-herdsmen conflicts, increase food production with a call for consideration of seamless access to landed properties for grazing.
They noted that it would also promote peace and tranquility in the State.
Other members including Honourables Wahab Haruna, Oludaisi Elemide, Kemi Oduwole, Sylvester Abiodun and Yusuf Sheriff posited that the bill would make the State key into ranching system which was in line with best practices.
According to them, the State could no longer allow for arms bearing and its illegal possession by herders.
In his response, Speaker Kunle Oluomo said the new bill would include a system of identification for herders to allow for easy tracking by security agencies when necessary.
Oluomo thereafter, committed the bill to the Committee on Agriculture and Forestry for further necessary legislative actions.
No comments:
Post a Comment