September 1 deadline: Akeredolu signs anti-open grazing bill into law in Ondo

Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has signed the Anti-Open Grazing Bill into law to curb insecurity in the state.

Newsflash Nigeria had reported that the 17 governors of the southern states had, in a meeting held in Lagos on July 5, 2021, urged all the states in the region to ensure that the legislation against open grazing of cattle is put in place on or before September 1.

The decision came after individual attempts to address the menace of open grazing in southern states failed as the governors under the Forum of Southern Governors, in one voice, announced a ban on loose cattle in all the 17 southern states.

They recommended that the Federal Government should support willing states to develop alternative and modern livestock management systems.

The governors also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to, as a matter of urgency and importance, address Nigerians on the frightening state of insecurity across the nation and convoke a national dialogue.

In a resolution after the meeting, the forum explained the rationale for the ban on open grazing, stressing, “Development and population growth has put pressure on available land and increased the prospects of conflict between migrating herders and local populations in the South.

Given this scenario, it becomes imperative to enforce the ban on open grazing in the South, including cattle movement to the South by foot.”

The governors collectively identified the incursion of armed herders, criminals and bandits into the southern part of the country as being at the root of the “severe security challenge such that citizens are not able to live their normal lives in the region”.

In a 12-point communiqué read by the Forum’s Chairman, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, at the end of its four hours meeting, the southern governors expressed displeasure with the worsening state of insecurity and noted that the situation revolves around agitations over restructuring, but affirmed that the peoples of southern Nigeria remain committed to the unity of Nigeria.

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On Tuesday, August 31, the Chairman of the forum and Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has signed into law the Anti-Open Grazing Bill in the state.

Recall that the state House of Assembly had passed the bill on July 2, 2021, to regulate the rearing and grazing of cattle and curb farmers/herders clashes in the state.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Donald Ojogo, said the Governor signed the bill into law to curb insecurity in the state.

Ojogo added that Akeredolu signed by the law in line with the resolution of the Southern Governors’ Forum at its last meeting in Lagos where the governors set September 1st  as the deadline for signing of the Anti-Open Grazing Bill into law.

The commissioner stated the law will further unite residents of the state irrespective of ethnicity, religion or creed.

The statement reads: “The move is in line with the resolution of the Southern Governors’ Forum at its last meeting in Lagos where September 1st was set as the deadline for governors in Southern Nigeria to sign the Anti-Open Grazing Bill into law.

“This is worthwhile and a very laudable development aimed at stemming needless instances of skirmishes, conflicts as well as infractions on the enviably peaceful disposition of the good people of Ondo State.

“It is very pertinent to aver and indeed, reiterate that the law shall rather, engender a more cordial, mutually benefiting relationship amongst residents of the state irrespective of ethnicity, religion or creed. For emphasis, no particular group of persons is the target.

“While it is the hope of the government that all residents would take ample advantage of this law to enhance our socio-economic well being in Ondo State, compliance of same shall be given the utmost attention. Government shall pursue with vigour, through lawful means, to ensure strict compliance.

“In this regard, details of the new law shall be made available to the public for proper information, more depth of understanding on contents as well as other relevant areas.”

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