Taraba Assembly Passes Anti-Open Grazing Bill
Taraba
State House of Assembly yesterday passed the State anti- open grazing prohibition and ranches establishment bill 2017, into law.
The passage of the bill came a day after the house adopted report of the public hearing on the bill which was conducted across the three zones of the state.
At the plenary presided over by the speaker of the house, Rt. Hon. Abel Peter Diah, the bill was read for the third time after a motion by majority leader, Joseph Albasu Kunini of Lau constituency which was seconded by Pius
Sabo of Wukari constituency.
After clause by clause consideration of the bill, members unanimously voted for the passage of the bill through a voice vote and the bill was passed.
In his remarks, the speaker thanked members of the house for the attention given to the bill and advised the Executive arm to give minimum of six months grace for public enlightenment on the bill before commencement of enforcement as contained in the law.
It could be recalled that the executive bill was sent to the house in May this year by Governor Ishaku as part of efforts to end herdsmen/farmers clashes and promote best practices in animal husbandry in the state.
The bill received mixed reactions across diverse stakeholders in the state as Miyetti Allah protested against the bill, alleging that the bill was out to witch hunt Fulani herdsmen, while organized farmers and others staged solidarity protest in support of the bill.