Osun State Governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, on Wednesday, signed the anti-open grazing bill into law.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ismail Omipidan said Governor Oyetola, who made this known in an interview said it has assented to the bill and has become a law.
He said, “Yes, the Governor has assented to the bill, it has become a law. Mechanism to enforce the law is already in place and the state will not allow anyone to abuse it. ”
“Osun is one of the most peaceful states in the country, this is largely due to our proactive steps in nipping issues, especially farmers-herders related, in the bud before it escalates. This is done through the state Committee on Peaceful Co-existence Between Fulani/Bororo and Crop Farmers.”
“We have also educated Fulani herdsmen in the state on the importance of the bill and we believe we will enjoy their cooperation,” he said.
The bill partly reads, “No person or group of persons shall rear, herd, or graze any livestock in any part of the State except within permitted ranches.”.
“Any herdsman or group of herdsmen who graze herd or rear cattle or livestock outside permitted ranches after the commencement of this bill shall be guilty of an offence.”
“Part of the bill also reads, “Any person or group who contravenes the provisions of sections 3(1) and (2) of this shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to a term of imprisonment of not less than 3 years 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.”
“A minor is prohibited from grazing, rearing or herding of livestock except under the supervision of an adult.
“A minor who contravenes the provision of Section 3 (4) committed an offence, and the guardian or parent of the minor or owner of the livestock as the case may be, shall be vicariously liable on conviction to a fine of N300,000.00 only.”
The bill, titled, Bill to Regulate Animal Grazing and Establishments of Cattle Ranches and Other Related Matters, was passed by the House of Assembly on August 12, 2021, and transmitted to the Governor for assent.