Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom on Wednesday signed into law a Bill to Prohibit Open Rearing and Grazing of Livestock and provide for the establishment of ranches in Akwa Ibom State.
State Assembly Speaker, Barr Aniekan Bassey with the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Uko Udom (SAN), presented the Bill for signing at the State Executive Chambers, Governor’s Office, Uyo.
Emmanuel after signing the Bill into Law stated that the new law would not respect persons irrespective of status or caliber.
He instructed relevant authorities of government to ensure that the bill is implemented and enforced to the letter with strict compliance, stressing that culprits must be brought to book accordingly.
The new Law would promote modern techniques in animal husbandry, prevent the destruction of farms by wandering cattles, while reducing clashes and killings between herders and farmers in the state.
It will also promote international best practices in livestock administration, regulation and control in the state, among other things.
It would be recalled that the Assembly had earlier on Tuesday passed the Bill into Law while the signing ceremony witnessed the inauguration of two Committees by the Governor.
The Committees are the
Akwa Ibom State Gender Based Violence Management Committee, chaired by the First Lady, Mrs Martha Udom Emmanuel and Akwa Ibom State Road Safety Management Committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo.
