BY PHILIP EKE, YENAGOA
The Bayelsa State House of Assembly has rejected the National Grazing Commission Bill proposed by the federal government.
The call for the rejection of the bill in state Assembly was sponsored by Hon. Mitema Obodor in the floor of the house.
Hon. Obodor said herdsmen depended on their cattle as a means of livelihood, the same way farmers depends on crops in their farms to feed themselves.
In a bid to curb these violent clashes Hon. Obodor revealed how a bill sponsored by senatorZainah Kure, representing Niger central in the seventh senate was presented for consideration but was rejected by the last senate.
He said the bill has how ever been revived in the present political dispensation and presented before the house of representatives. Title : National Grazing reserve (Establishment) Bill 2016 which was sponsored by Hon. Sadiq Ibrahim.
The bill provides for the establishment of the national grazing reserve commission which shall have powers to among other things establish at least one cattle reserve in each State of the Federation.
Hon. Abordor noted that it is a dangerous plot and a violation of subsisting land use ACT and traditional land holding.
He further said ranching is the new world order that must be embraced here and there, adding that The concept should be rejected in its entirety.
He urged Bayelsans and south-south to speak with one voice, saying that given out their land to Fulani herdsmen may causes further crisis.
While noting that Fulani herdsmen carry AK-47 rifle, he also wondered why government should create grazing fields for people who are doing their private business.
The State House of Assembly unanimously supported the motion for its passage after several contributors made their views in the hallow chamber.
The speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt Hon.Konbowei Benson, who was represented by The Deputy Speaker. Hon ibrahim Ongobere, in his assertion thanked the Honorable Members for their views, stressing that the Assembly will do its best to initiate people oriented laws and resolutions in moving the state forward.
