Tag: Anti Open Grazing Bill

  • Gov Ortom Signs Amended Anti Open Grazing Bill into Law

    Gov Ortom Signs Amended Anti Open Grazing Bill into Law

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has signed into Law the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law as amended by the Benue State House of Assembly.

    The Governor who performed the ceremony at the Government House Makurdi, noted that the amendment was an attestation of the respect the Benue State Government has for the rule of law and due process.

    The Governor stated: ” We will continue to ensure that Benue State maintains the rule of law, and once we maintain the rule of law, it’s the protection for everyone, even those who are not leaders, ordinary man on the street is protected, that’s the essence.”

    ” We all know the history of Prohibition of Open Grazing and provision for Ranching law, it is a child of necessity. Our people were being killed, our children and women were being raped, the ancestral homes of our people that we represent were being destroyed.”

    The amended sections 11, 19 and 22 of the law provides for review of the charges from N2000 to N50,000 for each cow apprehended for flouting the said law.

    The law further makes provision for additional N20,000 charge for an arrested cow that has been quarantine for the owner to come and claim, after which if he fails to comply seven days as stipulates by law, the cow will be auctioned.

    The Governor warned that the stiffer penalties contained in the amended sections were to strengthen the cause to defend the Benue people and their land against annexation agenda.

    Ortom applauded the Speaker and members of the Benue State House of Assembly for their support and timely passage of the bill. He equally commended the people of Benue State for standing with him in defense of the territorial integrity of the state.

    The Speaker, Mr Titus Uba in his remarks asserted that the Anti Open Grazing Law has provided lasting solution to the farmers, herders’ crisis.

  • Bill to Amend Anti Open Grazing Law Enjoys First Reading at Benue Assembly

    Bill to Amend Anti Open Grazing Law Enjoys First Reading at Benue Assembly

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    A Bill to amend the Open Grazing and Ranches Establishment Law 2017 passed second reading on the floor of the Benue State House of Assembly.

    This followed correspondence from the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Michael Gusa. It could be recalled that the Executive had observed lapses in some sections of the anti open grazing law, hence its decision to push for its amendment.

    It was learned that the amendment which affected sections 11, 19 and 22 sought to strengthen the offenses as well as stiffer penalties in the aforesaid sections of the law for faster development.

    The Executive Bill was presented to the House by the Majority Leader, Mr Damian Cheme during plenary for consideration.

    The Speaker, Mr Titus Uba, after reading the correspondence referred the bill to the house standing committee on rules and business to be brought to the house for a second reading.

  • Akwa Ibom State Govt. accents to Anti Open Grazing Bill

    Akwa Ibom State Govt. accents to Anti Open Grazing Bill

    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.