Governor Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom state has signed anti-open grazing bill into law.
Udom assented to the bill after it was presented to him by Attorney General of the State, Uko Udom, in the presence of the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Aniekan Bassey at the Government House in Uyo.
Akwa Ibom now joins Rivers, Bayelsa, Oyo, Ekiti, Abia, Lagos and Enugu as states with anti-open grazing legislation. It is the eighth state in southern Nigeria to enact the law.
Relevant authorities of government have been directed to ensure the law is enforced in the state by Governor Udom who also stated that culprits must be brought to book.
Meanwhile, the Osun state governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, has signed the bill banning the practice of open grazing in the state into law.
Osun state Assembly passed the bill to regulate animal grazing and establishments of cattle ranches and other related matters.
Speaker Timothy Owoeye at the plenary noted that the bill passed will prevent the destruction of farms, crops by open rearing and grazing of livestock.
The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ismail Omipidan, confirmed that the governor has signed the anti-open grazing bill into law.
“Mr Governor has signed the anti-open grazing bill into law immediately the bill was transmitted from the House of Assembly to the office of his Excellency.
We have notified the security agencies that will enforce the law in every part of the state, so, it is a crime to practice open grazing in Osun state.
Osun State is one of the most peaceful states in the country, we have fewer challenges of herders invading people farm to destroy the crop or attacking farmer because we had in place Committee on Peaceful Co-Existence between Fulani/Bororo and Crop Farmers led by Hon Mudasiru Toogun to foster peace between these communities.
Before enacting this law, we have summoned stakeholder meeting to deliberate on the matter and we have enlightened the herders in the state on the benefit of embracing ranching system. We have made provisions for the practice of ranching through the ministry of agriculture.”he said
Omipidan added that the law will prevent killings, sexual molestation, protect the environment from degradation and pollution caused by open rearing and grazing of livestock.
“Any person or group who contravenes the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to terms of imprisonment of not less than 3 years without the option of fine as well as forfeiture of the herds of Cattle or livestock under his or her control to the State Government.
A minor is prohibited from grazing, rearing or herding of livestock except under the supervision of an adult.
A minor who contravenes the provision of Section 3 (4) committed an offence, and the guardian or parent of the minor or owner of the livestock as the case may be, shall be vicariously liable on conviction to a fine of N300,000.00 only” he said
He noted that the conveyance of livestock on foot from one destination to another in the State is prohibited, except such movement is by Rail Wagon or Truck or pick-up wagon and is within 7:00 am to 6:00 pm.
