Ogun passes open grazing bill, 3-year jail term awaits defaulters

By our reporter| The Ogun State House of Assembly on Thursday passed a bill banning open grazing in the state.

The bill, which was passed at plenary puts defaulters at the risk of three years jail term.

According to the lawmakers, the bill which comes few days after the Southern governors meeting in Lagos, would address incessant clashes between herders and farmers.

The bill reads, “HB No. 045/OG/2021- A Law to Regulate Animal Grazing, Establishment of Cattles Ranches in Designated Grazing Areas of Ogun State and for other matters incidental thereto and connected therewith.”

The bill scaled the third reading and final passage following the presentation of the report of the House Committee on Agriculture by the Sponsor, Ganiyu Oyedeji, at a plenary presided over by the Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo.

Oyedeji, thereafter, moved the motion for the adoption of the report, seconded by Hon. Olusola Adams, and supported by other lawmakers through a voice vote.

The legal framework was later read and adopted clause-by-clause.

Thereafter, the Majority Leader, Yusuf Sheriff, moved the motion for the third reading as it was seconded by Hon Wahab Haruna.

The Clerk of the House and Head of Legislative Services, Deji Adeyemo, took the third reading of the bill before the lawmakers.

Part of a section of the bill prescribed a jail term of not less than three years without the option of fine “including the forfeiture of the herds of cattle or livestock under his/her control to the State Government for anyone who rears, herd or grazes any livestock in any part of the State except within the permitted ranches or anyone who rears cattle or livestock outside the permitted ranches after the commencement of the law.”

It will be recalled that Southern governors during their last meeting in Lagos fixed September as deadline for open grazing practice.