Enugu Assembly passes Anti -Open Grazing Bill into law

by Cosmas Chukwu

Even as the deadline declared by the Conference of Southern Governors expired Tuesday September 1, ,Enugu state has shown commitment to the resolve of their colleagues by passing the law outlawing open grazing in the area.

The bill which was read for the third time alongside the report of the public hearing with minor amendments to and  sections 2,8,17,29, and 31 of the 46-section bill was passed into law by the 24-member house upon the motion moved by the Deputy Speaker Hon  Uche Ugwu.

The bill was sponsored by the Leader of the House, Rt Hon Ikechukwu Ezugwu who explained that the law is dynamic and that after enactment may still be subjected to amendments after diligent due process. pointing out the new law a gestation period after which it. becomes operational.

The law has 36 sections only.

Expressing his delight and  gratitude to members of the House for their inputs and efforts geared at  passage of the bill titled Law Prohibiting Anti Open Grazing and Regulation of Ranching and Connected Business, and thanked the Deputy for standing in for him during the Public Hearing held on the bill last Tuesday.

The speaker Rt Hon Edward Ubosi who used the occasion to welcome the members from their holidays in Kigali Rwanda stated that passage of the bill couldn’t have come at a better time more so “the  people has been clamouring for such a law that will bring in peace and security in the state ”

“This law is for everybody, it is not targeted  at  anybody.It is for the good of everybody residing in Enugu and it is timely and will become law once His Excellency assents to it, hopefully before the week runs out.”

Meanwhile the speaker used the occasion to condemned the prevalence of  many revenue task forces bent on extorting money from hapless citizens and he  announced the setting up a 5-committee headed by Hon C C Nwamba to look  into the matter by liaising with. relevant stakeholders.