Delta Assembly resumes debate on nomadic cattle rearing Bill
NAN-H-19
Debate
By Mercy Obojeghren
Asaba, Jan. 25, 2016 (NAN) The Delta House of Assembly on Wednesday resumed debate on the “Delta State Nomadic Cattle Rearing Control Bill, 2016’’.
Leading the debate during plenary in Asaba, the sponsor of the Bill, Mr Reuben Izeze (PDP-Ughelli South), noted that the proposed law, when passed, would help to ensure the welfare and security of the people of the state.
Izeze added the bill, which was drawn from the provisions of chapter 14 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, saddled the government with such power.
“What the House seeks to achieve with the passage of the bill is far from hindering visitors from doing business in the state but rather to guarantee the business executions in the state within the ambits of the law as specified locations will be designed for grazing purposes.
“In the face of continuous pillage and terrorism by the herdsmen, to do nothing is to simply give consent to the inhumane acts, and no government can afford to sacrifice its people.
“So the bill seeks to regulate the activities of herdsmen and to create accountability in cattle administration within the state,’’ he said.
Supporting the bill, which was co-sponsored by 23 lawmakers, the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Mr Tim Owhefere, said that the law had become relevant against the backdrop of the fact that one could not be tried or sentenced unless the offence was clearly stated in a law.
Owhefere said: “The herdsmen have co-opted a new form of business into cattle rearing, which is highly criminal. This bill seeks to ascertain who is a herdsman and for whom he is plying the trade.”
Other members, who supported the bill, included Mrs Pat Ajudua, the Chief Whip of the House; Mr Anthony Elekeokwuri (PDP-Ika North East); Miss Angela Nwaka, representing Aniocha South and Dr Alphonsus Ojo, representing Ukwuani constituency.
They noted that the bill would serve as a key to boost revenue generation of the state.
The bill which was unanimously adopted by the members was referred to the House Committee on Agriculture for scrutiny after passing through its first and second readings by the Speaker, Mr Monday Igbuya. (NAN)
MOA/MST
Edited by Muhammad Suleiman Tola