Enugu State House of Assembly has directed the joint House committees on Agriculture, Judiciary, and Security to conduct a public hearing on the open grazing bill.

Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Right Honorable Edward Ubosi, gave the directive on Thursday, August 12th, 2021 during the second reading of the anti-open grazing bill and regulation of cattle ranching in the state.

Ubosi said the public hearing will enable residents of the state to air their opinions concerning the anti-open grazing bill, which will give farmers the confidence to r back to their farms.

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Accord to the Speaker, the people are happy with the introduction of the bill, as many of his constituents have requested for its accelerated passage.

Leading a debate on the bill, the leader of the House, Ikechukwu Ezeugwu, argued that the government can’t pretend to be ignorant of clashes between farmers and herders, which has resulted in the destruction of lives and properties in the state.

Ezeugwu, while noting that security of lives and properties are the primary responsibilities of the state government, stressed that the bill will ban anybody from rearing cattle in the state on foot, adding that it would be an offense for an underage child to rear cattle during school hours.

According to the lawmaker, anybody interested in rearing cattle should get land, and set up a cattle ranching, emphasizing that the era of open grazing is over in Enugu state.

In his contributions, the member representing Nkanu West Constituency, Iloabuchi Aniagu, described the bill as one of the most important bills introduced in the seventh assembly.

Anangu pointed out that with the introduction of ranching, farmers will resume their farming activities without fear of herders invading their farmlands.

He added that it will help the government as well by increasing the food sufficiency of the state and in turn increases the state revenue generation from Agro value chains.

On his part, Jeff Mba representing Oji-River Constituency argued that open grazing has brought about many unexplaidiseasesisease to the state, which according to him will be solved by ranching.

Mba added that the anti-open grazing bill will move Enugu sta21st-century century lifestyle.

On the other hand, Honorable Ezenta Ezeani representing Igbo-Etiti Constituency pleaded for the support of his constituents for quick passage of the anti-open grazing bill, aimed at curtailing clashes and destruction caused by herders in the area.

The House thereafter adjourned its plenary to Thursday, August 26, 2021.