Ekiti Footsteps: Anti-grazing Bill passes first reading in Abia legislature

Following the path of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, the Abia House of Assembly has begun the consideration of anti-grazing Bill in order to check the menace of suspected herdsmen in the State, Deputy Speaker, Mr Cosmos Ndukwe, has said.

Ndukwe told a news conference at the assembly complex in Umuahia on Wednesday that the bill was initiated in response to public demand for a legislation to arrest the phenomenon in the state.

Fulani herdsman with gunHe said the bill, entitled: HAB 36-Control of Nomadic Activities, Rearing and Prohibition of Grazing Routes/Reserves in Abia State Bill 2016,” had passed its first reading.

Ndukwe added that the absence of anti-grazing law had made it difficult to prosecute herdsmen, who allegedly fomented violence and destruction of farmlands in different parts of the state.

The deputy speaker said that the House passed a resolution on Tuesday ordering the immediate retirement of Mrs Uzoma Ukeje, a Chief Magistrate in the Osisioma Magisterial Division.

He said Ukeje, who was due for retirement in Dec. 2015, having attained the retirement age of 60, was still in service.

Ndukwe said the House Committee on Public Petition, which investigated the petition against her, indicted her for violating the law on retirement.

He said that following the recommendation of the House, Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu directed her to proceed on retirement without further delay.

Ndukwe said that the governor had also, in line with the recommendation of the House, dissolved the board of the State Judicial Service Commission, following the expiration of itstenure.

The deputy speaker, who is the Chairman of House Committee on Information, said that nine bills would soon be passed, adding that some of them had passed first and second readings. (NAN)

..delay is dangerous

Ban them outriightly!

Good move

Nice job.

Its long overdue for all states in the east to make law against the herdsmen, cry cry baby of Enugu state should follow suite.

What is delaying the South in rearing their cattle. We have an avalanche of Agric graduates and vetinary doctors. With this Fulani herdsmen will be permanently put out of business. Rear our own and ensure we don't buy from them.

Add credible source immediately so lalasticala can move this piece of good news to the front page. Abia has always had bold governors, expecially the "Aba brought up" ones. Fayose, Ikpeazu, Wike are few of the governors that are making efforts to protect their people. Enugu, Benue, Osun and even asslicker in Anambra who is forming boss are nothing but a bunch of cowards!

good move

It still baffles me that Fulani herdsmen are yet to be labeled terrorist group, but IPOB and like groups are called terrorists... And you still wonder if we actually have a functional government......