The Lagos State Government is proposing 21years jail term for any herder found with firearms as part of its moves to discourage open grazing and trespass of cattle in the state
The new move was contained in a bill titled “Prohibition of Open Cattle Grazing Bill, 2021”, sent to the House by the executive and debated on the floor of the house on Monday.
Debating the bill during plenary session on Monday, the lawmakers condemned the incessant movement of cattle by herders openly on farmland and roads in the state, adding that trespassing on people’s land would continue to threaten peaceful coexistence in the country.
Hon. Bisi Yusuf, representing Alimosho Constituency 1, said the bill was long expected and needed speedy passage, adding that the damages caused by open grazing in the state and the southwest were enormous.
He said: “Open grazing has reduced food supply drastically. Cattle often eat up crops of farmers who most often borrowed money to farm. The acts of these herders have created scarcity of food supply in the west. It is shameful that cattle move along the expressway, destroying markets. I am totally in support of the proposed 21 years jail term for defaulters.”
Hon. Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho 2),described the open grazing system as an aberration in the 21st century, stressing that the bill would help promote peaceful co-existence between herders and farmers.
According to him,the bill would also reduce crime and i help increase farmers productivity.
Hon. Gbolahon Yishawu (Eti-Osa 1), described as shameful and alarming, the sighting of cattle on the streets and roads of Lagos, saying that a cosmopolitan state like Lagos should not entertain open grazing.
He noted that open grazing was inimical to the economic growth of the state, saying that the bill considers the economic impacts of cattle rearing and crop farming to the economy of the state.
“Economic losses will be reduced. It is a bill that looks at the economy of cattle rearing, and also the benefit of the economy of crop farming,” said Yishawu.
Hon. Abiodun Tobun (Epe 1) said “I support the bill based on the conviction that open grazing brings a lot of embarrassment to Nigeria. This is a country where you will see cattle entering classrooms, all this social malaise is totally unacceptable.
“The activities of herders are becoming security threats, so this bill should be strengthened to protect enforcers of the law if the cattle die in their custody.”
Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa in his position, said the House was legalising the Southern governors’ agreement on open grazing, adding that there was need to identify herders operating in the state by registering them so as to know their total number.
He advocated the need for financial support for those who want to go into ranching, noting that there was need for training of the pastoralists in order to prepare them ahead of the new style.
