Oyo State House of Assembly has reiterated its commitment to the promotion of peaceful co-existence among Fulani herders and farming communities in Oyo state just as it promised to regularize open grazing and hearing activities in the state.
This was in reaction to the position of the Chairman, Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria Alhaji Sule Bayari who said the anti-open grazing and rearing bill of Oyo state is a ploy to punish poor herders.
While speaking on behalf of the Oyo State House of Assembly, the Chairman House committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, Hon. Peter Ojedokun said the proposed bill is aimed at ensuring rearing of cattle and other related activities are done in the best possible ways especially in line with internationally acceptable practices.
According to Hon. Ojedokun, using cattle to destroy farmlands, degrade the environment as well as other related issues have continued to cause crisis and friction among the herders and their host communities.
He maintained that the public hearing was to enable different farmer groups, communities, ministries, Fulani herders submit their positions and memorandum of understanding on the bill so as to ensure everyone is carried along.
Hon. Ojedokun added that the bill was necessary to end hostilities between the farming communities across Oyo state and Fulani herders and rearers as well as regularize the activities of herders.
He appealed to everyone to embrace peace and put into practice the ranching system already been used and done in developed countries as against taking of cows and sheep about on the streets and in the bush.
Hon. Ojedokun explained that the bill will among other things spell out the process of owing ranches individually or collectively, highlight punishment for the violation of various laws while also addressing issues capable of causing crisis.
He warned various communities and Fulani groups against making inciting and inflammatory remarks on the bill adding it is purely meant to sanitize and regularize the activities of herders and also make the business attractive for local and foreign investors.
Rilwan Fasasi
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