The Benue
State House of Assembly has successfully passed the bill prohibiting Open
Rearing and Grazing into law.
The house on
Tuesday received the report of its Committee on Agriculture and Natural
Resources on the bill to prohibit Open grazing in the State.
The report was
presented by the Chairman of the Committee, Mr. James Gbande.
A perusal of
the report shows that the title of the bill was changed from Livestock
Promotion, Development and Regulatory Agency establishment bill, to a bill to
prohibiting Open Rearing and Grazing of Livestock and provide for the
establishment of Ranches and Livestock administration, regulation and control,
in line with the feelings of Benue people.
The lawmakers,
who debated upon the bill on Thursday, agreed that the development would
henceforth end the protracted war between Benue farmers and herdsmen.
The house
subsequently stipulated that any herder found violating the law would be
sentenced to five years imprisonment and as well pay a fine of N1m.
According to
the house, “Nobody will be permitted to carry out open grazing outside the
permitted ranches. Any person who contravenes this act shall be guilty and upon
conviction be sentenced to 5 years imprisonment with a fine of 1 million.
“Where damage
is done to crops, the farm will be evaluated and the manager of the livestock
be compelled to pay.
“Movement of
livestock on foot within the state is hereby prohibited. Any person who
contravenes this shall be sentenced to one year imprisonment or pay a fine of
N500,00
“Any livestock
owner or manager who carries firearms shall be treated under the penal code.
All ranchers shall engage the services of security agencies.
“Any person
who rustles cattle shall be sentenced to 5 years imprisonment or pay a fine of
N100,000 per cow. Any livestock wandering shall be impounded by the department
of livestock.
“Any livestock
impounded and the owner not found shall be auctioned to the public and the
proceeds be deposited into the state consolidated revenue account.
“Their shall
be established, a special open prohibition TAX FORCE that will enforce this
laws as stipulated.”
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