According to report reaching oyogist.com, Members of the Oyo State House of Assembly have advised Governor Seyi Makinde to immediately ensure the implementation of the anti-open grazing law.
Recall that the anti-open grazing law was passed by the members of the Assembly in October 2019.
The law prohibits grazing of livestock in public, streets, or within the towns across the state.
The passage of the law was a sequel to a bill introduced by some members of the Assembly.
Those who introduced the bill included the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin; Deputy Speaker, Muhammad Abiodun Fadeyi; and other principal officers of the assembly.
The state lawmakers have however called on the executive arm of the government to ensure implementation of the law.
The lawmakers, during their plenary on Thursday, also expressed concern over the possible rise in herders/farmers clashes in most agrarian communities in the state.
They maintained that there is the possibility of farmers/herders conflicts as the dry season approaches.
The lawmakers then called on the executive arm of government to put measures in place for the implementation of the Anti-Open Grazing Prohibition Law.
This was the resolution of the lawmakers while contributing to a motion on the need to put measures in place to forestall herdsmen/farmers’ clashes in the state.
The motion was jointly brought to the Assembly by Hon Francis Adetunji (Oluyole) and Hon Saminu Gbadamosi (Atisbo/Saki East).
The lawmakers said, “As the dry season approaches, herders and their cattle from the fast drying North will be moving down to the West to get greener pastures for their animals.
“The concern is that the herders would not restrict grazing of their cattle to uncultivated farmlands alone. Experiences in the past would remind us of the bitter tales our farmers have had to tell.
“Many of our farmers have left their farms for either the fear of being killed by notorious herders or because of great losses they have recorded overtimes due to the wanton destruction of their farms by these set of people and their animals.”
Speaker of the Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, in his remarks, maintained that continuous destruction of farmlands by Fulani herders and their cattle was unacceptable.
Ogundoyin, who presided over the plenary, maintained that security agencies must work together to ensure that the issue of farmers/herders is addressed.
He said, “Our security agents, Amotekun Corps and other vigilance groups must work together to address this menace and arrest these agents of destruction.
“We cannot afford to have an increase in the activities of Fulani herders on our farms”.
