Akwa Ibom governor signs the anti-grazing bill into law

By INEMESIT AKPAN-NSOH, Uyo

Akwa lbom State governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel, has signed into Law a bill to prohibit open rearing and grazing of livestock and provide for the establishment of ranches in the state.

The Speaker, Aniekan Bassey, with the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Uko Udom (SAN), presented the bill for signing on Wednesday at the State Executive Chambers, in the Governor’s Office, Uyo.

The governor, after signing the bill into law, stated that the new law was no respecter of persons irrespective of status or calibre.

He instructed relevant authorities of government to ensure that, the bill is implemented and enforced to the letter with strict compliance, stressing that, culprits must be brought to book accordingly.

The new law will promote modern techniques in animal husbandry, prevent the destruction of farms by wandering cattle while reducing clashes and killings between herders and farmers in the state.

It will also promote international best practices in livestock administration, regulation and control in the state, among other things.

The state assembly passed the bill on Tuesday, with Tuesday, September 14, 2021, as its commencement date and the Speaker, Aniekan Bassey, directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs Mandu Umoren, to communicate the decision of the House to the governor for his assent.

Also at the Executive Chambers, the Speaker who was accompanied by Udo Kierian Akpan, the Leader of the House and Mrs Mandu Umoren, Clerk of the Assembly to the signing ceremony witnessed the inauguration of two committees by the governor.

The committees are the Akwa Ibom State Gender Based Violence Management Committee, chaired by the First Lady, Mrs Martha Udom Emmanuel and Akwa Ibom State Road Safety Management Committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo. (The Guardian)