Oyo Assembly Commences Process To Regulate Activities Of Herdsmen

By Abiodun Ogunrinde, Ibadan

The Oyo State House of Assembly
has commenced the process of
regulating the activities of Fulani
herdsmen in the state as a bill to
that effect has passed through
second reading in the
Assembly.

The bill, which is meant to prohibit open grazing and rearing of livestock in Oyo state was read at the plenary by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Abiodun Fadeyi who said such a law was already operational in states like Ekiti, Taraba and Abia in Nigeria.

When fully operational, the bill seeks to prevent the destruction of farms, community ponds, and properties through open grazing and rearing of animals as well as put an end to clashes between livestock owners and farmers while also protecting the environment from degradation and pollution.

The Speaker, Oyo state House of Assembly, Hon Adebo Ogundoyin while commenting on the bill said it will make it an offence for anyone to engage in open rearing, herding and grazing of livestock in the state outside the permitted ranches and also provide opportunities for private investors who may want to have their own ranches in the state.

The Minority leader, Hon Asimiyu Alarape (Atiba) and Hon Hakeem Adedibu (Iwajowa) in their contributions noted that the movement of livestock around poses great risk to farmers in rural communities and such is also unheard of in developed countries.

Other lawmakers including Hon Jacob Bamigboye (Oriire) and Hon Olawumi Oladeji (Ogbomoso North) called for speedy passage of the bill in order
to curtail the rising cases of farmers/herders clashes particularly in most agrarian communities in Oyo state.

While passing the bill to the House Committees on Agriculture and Security for further deliberations and
scrutiny, the House also resolved to conduct a public hearing on the bill.

Other bills which passed through second reading at the plenary included Ministry of Finance Bill, Ministry of Establishment and Training Bill, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Bill, Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Bill and Ministry of Energy Bill.

There were also the First reading of several other bills at the plenary.