A'IBOM ASSEMBLY PASSES ANTI-OPEN GRAZING BILL INTO LAW

 Williams Akpabio - Information Unit (AKHA), Uyo

The 7th Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly today passed the anti-open grazing bill brought before it into law.

The bill which is for a law to Prohibit Open Rearing and Grazing of Livestock and Provide for the Establishment of Ranches and Livestock Administration, Regulation and Control and for Other Matters Connected therewith.

The  passage of the Bill followed the consideration of the report of its joint committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, Housing and Urban Renewal as presented by its Chairman Hon. Asuquo Nana Udo and member representing Ikono State Constituency at the floor of the chamber; and on the unanimous voice vote, the bill scaled through third reading and was passed to Law.

It could be recalled that Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly through its joint Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, Housing and Urban Renewal Monday 13th September, 2021 holds Public hearing on this Bill.

According to the report, the committee at the Public hearing received inputs and memoranda from stakeholders including Hausa Community and Arewa group in Akwa Ibom State, Civil Liberty Organization, Cattle Dealers Association and Herders in the state who made germane oral and documentary presentations which have immensely aided the committee to make recommendations.

In the report, the committee observed that the Bill if passed into Law will among other things promote modern techniques of animal husbandry; prevent the destruction of farms, crops, ponds, settlements and properties caused by open rearing and grazing of Livestock; prevent killings and clashes between herders and farmers or their host communities in the state, and equally promote international best practice in livestock administration, regulation and control in the state, among other things.  

Meanwhile, the Honourable Speaker Rt. Hon. Aniekan Bassey has directed the Clerk of the House Mrs Mandu Umoren to communicate His Excellency Governor Udom Emmanuel and other related agencies on the decision of the House.