Anti-Open Grazing Bill: Enugu Assembly Holds Public Hearing

The Enugu State House of Assembly has held a public hearing on the Prohibition of Open Grazing and Regulation of Cattle Ranching at the Assembly Complex in Enugu.

In his remark at the hearing, the Speaker of the House, Edward Ubosi, said the anti-open grazing bill is not targeted at anybody or group but to promote peaceful co-existence in the state. The Enugu State House of Assembly has held a public hearing on the Prohibition of Open Grazing and Regulation of Cattle Ranching at the Assembly Complex in Enugu.

Ubosi, represented by his deputy, Uche Ugwu, said the bill is aimed at ending the farmers/herder’s crisis, which has led to the needless destruction of lives and properties in the state.

He stated that the public hearing is to afford the residents the opportunity to make contributions to the crucial bill, noting that every opinion expressed would be considered during the passage of the bill.

Also Read: Osun State Assembly passes anti-open grazing bill

The joint committee chairman, Amaka Ugwueze, hinted that the ban on open grazing will ensure the protection of the lives and properties of the Enugu people, which is the primary responsibility of the government.

In their separate submissions, the chairman of Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council, Igwe Lawrence Agubuzo and the Chairman of Town Union President Generals, Paully Eze, said there are in support of the bill, which according to them is long overdue.

Speaking on behalf of the farmers in the state, Paschal Echezona, expressed excitement over the introduction of the bill, which he said they have advocated before now.

Echezona charged the state government to apply the use of technology in locating all the cattle ranches in the state when the law becomes functional.

However, the chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders’ Association, MACBAN, in South East, Siddiki Gidado, requested the assembly to give them one month to articulate the association’s position on the bill.

In attendance at the session held at the hallowed chambers of the Assembly included community leaders and traditional rulers, clerics, youths, farmers, opinion leaders, political leaders, cattle rearers and other stakeholders.

The Southern Governors Forum, SGF, has set September 1, 2021, as the effective date for the ban on open grazing in the southern states of Nigeria.

Zainab Sa’id