By Omolara Adasofunjo
A bill seeking the creation of an agency to manage agricultural land, regulate, and promote responsible land use has passed its second reading on the floor of the Ogun State House of Assembly, OGHA.
The debate followed a motion by the sponsor, Mr Waliu Owode, seconded by Mr Folawewo Salami and supported by all other lawmakers through a voice vote.
Mr Owode explained that the bill would secure land tenure and usage.
He added that the proposed law would boost investors’ confidence in the agricultural sector by enhancing agricultural productivity, strengthen food security, create jobs, and increasing internally generated revenue for the state.
Corroborating the sponsor, the Minority Leader, Mr Lukman Adeleye and Mr Oluseun Adesanya, described the bill as critical towards addressing issues relating to land acquisition, especially within the rural communities.
The lawmakers further added that the bill would guarantee compensation for traditional land owners, reduce land disputes, which they noted accounted for about 90% of petitions received by the House.
While committing the bill to the House Committees on Agriculture as well as Lands and Housing for further legislative action, the Speaker, Oludaisi Elemide, emphasised that the bill would remove illegal occupation of agricultural land, reduce misuse and restore agricultural land in line with the global best practices.
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