As part of effort to ensure that relevant stakeholders have their say in the proposed law on Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation, 2019, the Oyo State House of Assembly, its joint Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development and Security and Strategy have organized a public hearing.
The event was held at the House of Chiefs, secretariat, Ibadan on Wednesday, October 9th, 2019.
In his address, the Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin assured that all suggestions and memoranda submitted by various groups, agencies and representatives of different communities and tribes on the proposed bill will be painstakingly looked into before it is passed into law.
According to the Speaker, “the rising violent clashes between Fulani herders and farmers has continued to dominate public discourse and given policy makers cause for concern hence the need to bring stakeholders together for a practicable solution.”
Hon. Ogundoyin, disclosed that the Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Bill, 2019 is not targeted at any group or set of people, rather to seek the promotion of peace among residents and different tribes in Oyo state.
He maintained that the bill was only seeking legal framework to address the issue of open rearing and grazing as well as to encourage and protect the economic activities of others who are into agriculte-related businesses.
Fatai Owoseni, who is the the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security matters, called on stakeholders to support the state assembly and see to the workability of the bill.
He warned all concerned to avoid making inciting remarks on the issue, adding that it is a security matter which should be treated with all seriousness.
In their separate messages, the Aseyin of Iseyin, Oba AbdulGaniyu Adekumle Salaudeen, Olugbon of Ile’gbon, Oba Olusola Alao, and the representative of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola commended the lawmakers for taking the giant step in addressing the lingering farmers/herders dispute.
They stressed that grazing and rearing of cattle should be regularised as being practised in developed countries.
Meanwhile, The National Chairman, Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Sale Bayari in his argument alleged that the proposed bill failed to capture cattle rearing as part of culture and tradition of the Fulanis.
He noted that cattle rearing by the Fulanis is more than a mere business as being addressed by the bill, rather it is a means of their livelihood.
Alhaji Bayari alleged that Section 6, sub sections 1-6 of the bill have potentials of bringing about crises as the process for land acquisition of the one year lease for the herdsman is not realistic and not realizable.
He submitted that an average herdsman has no or basic knowledge of ranches, therefore, requires education to enable him practice new techniques in cattle rearing.
Bar. Thomas, who represented the Ministry of Justice in Oyo State also aligned with the submission of Alhaji Sale Bayari, urging the state House of Assembly to look into the area of one year land permit in order not to see the law when passed as one sided.
Alhaji Saliu Kadiri, who is the Seriki Fulani in Oyo State, urged the government to provide enabling environment for the herdsmen to rear the cattle before the passage of the bill into law.
The bill which was jointly sponsored by the Speaker, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, deputy Speaker, Hon. Abiodun Fadeyi, Majority Leader, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin and Minority Leader, Hon. Asimiyu Alarape has passed through the second reading.
It was gathered that over 25 memoranda were submitted by various groups and associations at the end of the hearing.
The hearing witnessed the attendance of representatives from the Ministries of Justice, Nigeria Police Force, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Agriculture, Chairmen of Traditional Council in the state, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Agbekoya Farmers Association, farm settlements across the state, All Farmers Association of Nigeria as well as Vigilante Group of Nigeria among others.
Packaged by Kunle Gazali
