Ogun Assembly Passes Anti Open Grazing Bill

A bill banning open grazing has been passed by the Ogun State House of Assembly at plenary presided over by the Speaker, Olakunle Oluomo on Thursday.

According to the lawmakers, this would address incessant clashes between herders and farmers in the state.

It will be recalled that governors from the southern part of the country had during their last meeting in Lagos fixed September as the deadline for open grazing practice.

Consequently, the Ogun assembly passed the Animal Grazing Regulation and Cattle Ranch Establishment Bill 2020 into law a few days after the Southern governor’s meeting.

The title of 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 was sponsored by Honourable Ganiyu Oyedeji of the House Committee on Agriculture, it puts violators at the risk of three years jail term 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.

After the passage of the bill, the speaker Rt. Honourable Oluomo directed the Clerk to prepare a clean copy of the bill for the assent of Governor Dapo Abiodun.