August 18, (THEWILL) – The Rivers State House of Assembly has passed the anti-open grazing Bill.
The Bill, “Prohibition of Open Rearing of Livestock and Ranching Administration,” was passed after an extensive debate by members of the House.
It was passed after the Joint Committee on Environment and Agriculture submitted its report to the House.
The lawmaker representing Obio Akpor Constituency II, Michael Chinda, however, voted against the passage of the Bill, citing the refusal of the House to expunge Section 5L of the Bill allowing for the creation of pathways for the movement of cattle.
Chinda said, “I had expected the committee to delete Clause 5L; They didn’t do it, they left it there which means they want to create pathways. I’m not against the creation of pathways, but Obio Akpor does not have space for pathways, I don’t know what happens in the other 22 local governments but I am talking about Obio Akpor and Constituency 2 for that matter.
“You know how heavily populated we are, we are talking about where human beings will stay, not where animals will be moving.”
The Speaker, Ikuyi Awaji Ibani, in his resolution, explained that the Bill, when signed into law, will regulate animal grazing and establishment of cattle ranching in the state.
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