The Ogun State House of Assembly, on Thursday has passed the Animal Grazing Regulation and Cattle Ranch Establishment Law, 2020 into law.
The bill which was titled “HB No. 045/OG/2021- A Law to Regulate Animal Grazing, Establishment of Cattles Ranches in Designated Grazing Areas of Ogun State and for other Matters incidental thereto and connected therewith,” was passed following the report submitted by the House Committee on Agriculture and Forestry.
Hon. Ganiyu Oyedeji who represents Ifo 2 State Constituency at Ogun State House of Assembly, presented the report at a plenary on Thursday.
Oyedeji, in his debate moved the motion for the adoption of the report, and was seconded by Hon. Olusola Adams and supported by the whole house.
The bill was later read and adopted clause-by-clause after which the motion for its third reading was moved by the Majority Leader, Yusuf Sheriff, seconded by Wahab Haruna, after which the Clerk of the House and Head of Legislative Services, Deji Adeyemo took the third reading of the bill before the lawmakers.
With the provisions in the bill, anyone who rears cattle or livestock outside the permitted areas risk a three-year jail term without an option of fine including the forfeiture of the herds of cattle or livestock under his/her control to the state government.
The bill, when signed into law, is expected to curb the rising clashes between herders and farmers in the state.
Recall that Ogun State and the Southwest at large have been witnessing an incessant clashes between farmers and herders which have resulted into loss of lives and destruction of properties.
Meanwhile, Ogun Assembly Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo has ordered that the clean copy of the bill be transmitted to the State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for his assent.
