Herdsmen Crisis: Bayelsa Assembly Passed Anti-open Grazing Bill

The Bayelsa State House of Assembly, on Wednesday, passed the state’s bill banning open grazing of livestock in the state.

The passage followed the report of the public on the bill by the House Joint Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources; Trade, Industry and Investment; Environment, and Security.

Governor Douye Diri is expected to latest Friday, this week, sign into law the piece of legislation titled, ‘Livestock Breeding and Marketing Regulation Bill, 2021.’

When assented to by the governor, the anti-open grazing law will establish a committee that will be responsible for the registration and issuance of permits for livestock breeding, designate areas for such breeding activities and also establish inspection posts for cows and other livestock coming into the state.

The bill also seeks to prevent a situation where one person’s business will jeopardise that of another person, prohibits open grazing of livestock and other excesses of herders, and considers cattle rustling a punishable offence, among others.

The Speaker, Mr Abraham Ingobere, commended members of the Assembly “for ensuring thorough deliberations on the bill before passage.”

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