The Delta State House of Assembly has passed the Prohibiting Open Grazing, indiscriminate Breeding, Rearing and Marketing of Livestock in Delta State, otherwise known as Anti-Open grazing bill.
The Bill was passed following a motion by the Majority Leader of the House, Hon Ferguson Onwo, and adopted during Tuesday resumed plenary of the State Legislature, presided over by the Speaker, Chief Sherrif Oborevwori.
“Through the passage of this Bill, the State House of Assembly has demonstrated its resolve to protect Deltans from the menace of clashes between herders and farmers.
“I 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) remain sacrosanct”, Rt. Hon. Oborevwori stated.
The Speaker explained that “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. The Bill when eventually signed into law will prohibit the carrying of firearms, either licenced or otherwise, by residents or individuals in the state just as it seeks to address the arbitrary rearing and movements of livestock in the state.”
