Enugu: Anti-open grazing bill passes first reading

A bill to ban open grazing in Enugu State has passed its first reading at the state House of Assembly.

Presenting the bill yesterday, Leader of the Assembly, Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, said it is intended to help protect lives and property of citizens of the state.

The lawmaker, while citing relevant sections of the Assembly Order, gave the assurance that the bill would pass through all the procedures of lawmaking, including the public hearing stage.

Ezeugwu, who represents Udenu state constituency, said the bill would regulate cattle ranching in the state.

He warned members of the public against politicising the legislation, which was only presented, and as such, has not been deliberated by the lawmakers. The lawmaker said politicising the bill would truncate the peace enjoyed by the residents of the state, which is not needed at this time.

According to him, “During the public hearing, anybody who is interested in the bill should come and make his or her input to guide us in passing the bill. We need peace in Enugu State and Nigeria.”

In his reaction, the Speaker of the Assembly, Hon Edward Ubosi, urged the lawmakers to go through the bill in order to make contributions to the legislation “that will boost security in Enugu State.”

He noted that there was no better time to address the issue than now when farmer-herder crisis has continued to claim several lives across the country.