Anti-Open Grazing Bill: Aimed To Promote Peaceful Coexistence And Security In Oyo State – Oyo Assembly

By Henry Odeh

The Oyo state House of Assembly has reaffirmed its commitment to the promotion of peaceful co-existence among herdsmen, farmers, farmland owners, and rural communities in Oyo state just as it promised to regularize open grazing and rearing activities in the state.

In a swift reaction to the position of the Chairman, Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria Alhaji Sule Bayari, who said the anti-open grazing and rearing bill of Oyo state is a ploy to punish poor herders and therefore,  unpracticable.

While speaking on behalf of the Oyo state house of Assembly, the Chairman House committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon Peter Ojedokun said the proposed bill is aimed at ensuring rearing of cattle and other related activities are done in the best possible ways especially in line with internationally acceptable practices.

According to Hon Ojedokun, using cattle to destroy farmlands, degrade the environment as well as other related issues have continued to cause crisis and friction among the herders and their host communities.

He maintained that the public hearing was to enable different farmer groups, communities, ministries, Fulani herders submit their positions and memorandum of understanding on the bill so as to ensure everyone is carried along.

Hon Ojedokun added that the bill was necessary to end hostilities between the farming communities across Oyo state and Fulani herders and rearers, as well as regularise all related activities .

He appealed to everyone to embrace peace and put into practice the ranching system already been adopted and practiced in developed countries as against movement of cows and sheeps about on the streets and in the bush.

Hon Ojedokun explained that the bill will among other things spell out the process of owing ranches individually or collectively,  highlight punishment for the violation of various laws while also addressing issues capable of causing crisis.

He warned various communities and  Fulani groups against making inciting and inflammatory remarks on the bill adding that it is purely meant to sanitise and regularize the activities of herders and also make the business attractive for local and foreign investors.