…Group Expresses Doubt Over Okowa’s Quick Assent To Bill
Exactly three weeks after the September 1 deadline set by the 17 Southern governors of Nigeria for each state to enact their respective anti-open grazing laws, the Delta State House of Assembly today, Tuesday September 21, has passed the State anti-open grazing bill.
It would be recalled that the decision of the Southern Governors Forum to set September 1 deadline for all the 17 States in the South to enact their respective anti-open grazing laws was taken at the Forums inaugural meeting in Asaba, the Delta State Capital in July 5 this year.
The New Diplomat’s finding however revealed that as at today, only 8 out of the 17 States in the South have enacted anti-open grazing laws. They include Ebonyi, Abia, Bayelsa, Rivers, Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo and Lagos State.
However, the Delta State House of Assembly, today September 21, passed the State Anti-Open Grazing Bill after it was presented on the floor of the House during the plenary by the chairman on Special Bills, Hon. Pat Ajudua.
The Bill which is titled: A Bill for a Law Prohibiting Open Grazing, Indiscriminate Breeding, Rearing and Marketing of Livestock in Delta State was unanimously adopted and passed following a motion moved by the Majority Leader of the House, Hon Ferguson Onwo.
Presenting the Bill on the floor of the House, Ajudua disclosed that when signed into law, the Bill will prohibit the bearing of firearms, either licensed or otherwise, by residents or individuals in the State, adding that it also seeks to address the arbitrary rearing and movement of livestock in the State.
In his remarks after the passage and adoption of the Bill, the Speaker, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, noted with joy that Deltans and others residents of the State would be happy for the development.
He said: Dear Colleagues, I congratulate all of us on the passage of this very important Bill. Today, the House has fulfilled the commitment of our dear State to the agreement reached at the South-South Governors meeting held here in our State Capital. By virtue of this Bill, this House has demonstrated its resolve to protect the people of the State from the menace of clashes between herders and farmers.
I must, therefore, commend all the Sponsors of this Bill, for recognizing that the security of lives and properties of Deltans as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as altered) are sacrosanct.
With the passage of this Bill, well-meaning persons who seek to carry on the business of breeding, rearing and marketing of livestock shall do so within the boundaries of the Law. Also, farmers can now go about their businesses without fear of anyone grazing on their crops. This for sure will boost food production in the State.
“Dear colleagues, this Bill is a right step in the right direction as our women can now go to their farmlands without fear of molestation. Once again, I thank you all for your untiring support as always and for your resolute commitment in the passage of people-oriented Bills such as this.”
Meanwhile, a group, Deltans In Pursuit of Good Governance, DIPGG, has expressed fear that it remained uncertain if Governor Ifeanyi Okowa would be on the same page with the House of Assembly and signed the passed Bill to law speedily.
Reacting to the passage of the Bill by the House of Assembly in a statement issued and signed by the National Coordinator of DIPGG, Comrade Phillip Oshoke and Secretary, Comrade Jude Mratimore, the group said that considering what happened to the Anti-Grazing Bill which was first presented in the House in the 6th Assembly, they were worried the governor may vacillate and consign the Bill to the shelf.
“We are happy with the speedy passage of the Bill by the House of Assembly. But this is not the first time that the Anti-Open Grazing Bill was being introduced in this State. In 2016 when the armed Fulani invaded our forests in Ethiope East, Ukwuani, Ughelli South and part of Aniocha South Local Government Areas, the member representing Ughelli South, Hon. Reuben Izeze and the then member representing Ethiope East, Hon. Evance Ivwurie sponsored and co-sponsored an Anti-Grazing Bill in the floor of the House.
“The Bill which passed through the Second reading and Public Hearing was presented on the floor of the House for adoption Clause by Clause by the then Speaker of the House, Hon. Monday Igbuya before he was impeached.
“That signaled the death of the bill then. We however gathered that some power brokers in the State Advisory Committee, allegedly advised the Governor to kill the Bill in the House so that it does not constitute a clog in his second tenure ambition.
“Though we are happy today that our farmers will heave a sigh of relief, we doubt if Gov. Okowa would not find one reason or the other again to delay or even deny the signing of the passed Bill into law,” the group said.
