The Oyo State House of Assembly has commenced public hearing and stakeholders’ engagement on Post Legislative Scrutiny inquiry on open rearing and grazing regulation law, 2019.
The programme, held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan on Wednesday, was organized in collaboration with Westminster Foundation for Democracy, a United Kingdom body dedicated to strengthening democracy around the globe, involving various stakeholders including; the state Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Oyo State Security Network (Amotekun), Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority, Ministry of Justice, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Civil Society Organization among others.
Declaring the event opened, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin, represented by his Deputy, Abiodun Fadeyi, stated that the State House of Assembly has taken a step further in the lawmaking business by adopting the PLS to discuss the functionality of the already passed laws by conducting inquiry, considering the shortcomings and level of compliance to determine its amendment for stricter implementation.
The Speaker however assured all stakeholders that all submitted memoranda will be considered and harmonized for necessary actions.
In his welcome address, the House Majority Leader, who is also the Chairman of the Committee, Sanjo Adedoyin, noted that the Oyo State’s Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, 2019, was made to bring order and sustainability to the bedrock of the state’s economy and the complex relationship between the farming and herding communities.
In his address, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Barr. Olasunkanmi Olaleye, described the Law as a visionary one that was borne out of visions that is still work in progress and yet to get to its highest level.
While emphasizing that the law is not to witch-hunt anybody, but rather to promote state economic and individual businesses, Barr. Olaleye called for the involvement of the local government and traditional rulers in its operation for effective implementation.
Also speaking, the OYRLEA Chairperson, Justice Aderonke Aderemi (rtd), maintained that the law has reduced the recurring conflicts between farmers and herders, as well as environmental limitations, as it also serves as a security measure to protect every individual, irrespective of ethnic, religion or political affiliations.
Justice Aderemi suggested an increase in the amount of fines and jail terms for offenders, allocation of lands for creation of the agency’s offices across the 33 local government areas by the council chairmen and involvement of traditional rulers in the operation of the law.
In its recommendation, the leadership of MACBAN called for proper education, increased awareness and information on the existence of the law to ensure that everyone is carried along before the implementation.
It also called for fairness, justice and involvement of local authorities, including members of the Fulani community at the local level for accurate data collection and peaceful coexistence.
Other stakeholders also submitted their memoranda which the Speaker has assured would be properly looked into and harmonized.
