GOV OBIANO SIGNS ANTI GRAZING LAW

REPORTER: ONYINYE CHIJIOBI

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State has signed the state’s Anti-Open Grazing Bill into law.

The bill as signed into law is entitled “A Law to Prohibit and Abolish Open and Nomadic Cattle and other Livestock Grazing and rearing in Anambra State.”

Governor Obiano, while performing the ceremony at Governor’s Lodge Amawbia, said the move became imperative in order to protect all critical stakeholders and their businesses in the state.

The bill was presented to the Governor by the Attorney General of the State, Mrs. Uju Nwogu, in the presence of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Uchenna Okafor, during a brief ceremony.

According to Governor Obiano, his assent to the bill is expected to improve security and peace as well as take care of challenges associated with open rearing of cattle.

Governor Obiano explained that the law would also regulate cattle ranching and aimed at ending conflicts between farmers and herders, which had led to destruction of lives and property across the state and the country in general.

The Governor directed relevant authorities of government, including security agencies to ensure its enforcement in the state by bringing offenders to book.

Earlier, the Attorney General of the state and Commissioner for justice, Mrs. Uju Nwogu, explained that the government had been managing the issues of farmers and herders but pointed out that the new law would help to a large extent to ensure establishment of ranches, prevent clashes and bring enduring peace.

The Speaker, Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr. uchenna Okafor, commended the Governor for signing into law the bill, which was passed by the assembly in September after a public hearing, where stakeholders threw their weight behind it.

The Speaker explained that the law was for unity, security and peaceful coexistence among residents of the state, and not targeted at any group or individual.

Also, the Sariki Hausa of Onitsha, Alhaji iliyasu Yushau, who described the law as a dream come through for all involved, maintained that they would adhere strictly to it.

The law is coming more than two weeks after the September 1 deadline set by the Southern Governors’ Forum for member states to enact it.

Top government functionaries, including security chiefs as well as Hausa and fulani leaders were present during the event.