31st March, 2022
By Jethro Ibileke
A bill to prohibit open grazing of cattle and regulate rearing of other livestock have been passed to law by the Edo State House of Assembly.
Deputy Speaker of the House, Roland Asoro, on Wednesday moved the motion to dissolve the Hose into committee of the whole for a clause-by-clause consideration of the bill.
The motion was seconded by the the member representing Esan North East I, Francis Okiye.
Relevant sections of the bill were passed by the House after amendments to sections 5(7) and 5(8).
The amendment to section 5 (7) now reads that a ranch committee to be constituted by the governor shall determine the size of the land suitable for ranching in conjunction with the community where the ranch is proposed.
Section 5 (8) was also amended to read that the committee shall control the activities of cattle herdsmen within various communities.
Section eight, however, prohibits open grazing in the state.
According to the bill, Section 9(1) empowered the state governor to designate a land for ranching in the land.
Section 9(2)in the bill stated that an owner of a land shall apply to the committee in writing of his intention to operate a ranch with his land.
Following passage of the bill, the Speaker, Marcus Onobun, directed the Clerk of the House, Yahaya Omogbai, to give the bill its third reading and forward clean copies of the bill to the Governor for his assent.