The Chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, Hon Kehinde Joseph, laid down report as the Lagos State House of Assembly, on Thursday, passed the open grazing prohibition bill 2021 into law.
The open grazing prohibition bill 2021 scaled through the third reading after a clause by clause consideration.
The passage came in after a day public hearing with the stakeholders yesterday, after a proper deliberation for an end to open rearing of cattle.
During the public hearing on the bill yesterday, the umbrella body of Fulani herdsmen, the Miyetti Allah had asked the Lagos State Government for support on subsidiary and sensitization of their members.
However, at plenary on Thursday the bill was passed into law and would now be sent to Governor Babajide Olushola Sanwo-Olu for his assent.
The bill which was an executive bill was well supported by the Speaker of the House, Rt Hon (Dr) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa and other lawmakers.
It seeks to “prevent the destruction of farms, farm crops, community ponds, settlements and property by open rearing and grazing of livestock.”
It will also “prevent killings, Sexual molestation and clashes between arable farmers and pastoralists, Herders and rustlers.
“Protect the environment from degradation and pollution caused by open rearing and grazing of livestock.
“Optimize the use of land resources in the face of overstretched land and increasing population.
“Prevent, control and manage the spread of animal diseases.
“Create a conducive environment for large scale crop production and reduce incidence of road accidents caused by open rearing and grazing of livestock.”
The bill provides for ranches and any form of grazing outside permitted ranches is punishable as a criminal offense and upon conviction, such a person is “liable to a term of imprisonment without the option of fine as well as forfeiture of the herds of cattle or livestock under his or her control to the State Government.”
The law also prohibits possession of firearms and going against this provision attracts a liable terms of imprisonment as well.
Commenting on the bill while laying the report, Hon Kehinde Joseph said the bill was not targeted on any group or individuals but for the peace and security of residents of Lagos State.
Kehinde Joseph said the bill was for the “unity, security and peaceful coexistence among residents of Lagos State.”
“It’s not targeted on any group or individual,” he stressed.
