The Taraba State Government
has temporarily suspended the Anti-Open Grazing law in the state to allow for
some amendments as farmers and herdsmen agree to shield swords.
The decision came after three
days of interactive sessions between the National Economic Council Technical
sub Committee on ending herders/farmers crisis, and key stakeholders in the
state.
Leader of the
NEC technical sub-committee and Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State ,who
disclosed this to journalists at the end of the three-day interactive sessions,
in Jalingo, commended Governor Darius Ishaku for being considerate enough to
allow for a review of the law after it has been duly passed by the state
Assembly.
Governor
Umahi said that the committee discovered that the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders
Association had failed to appear during the public hearings organized by the
state Assembly while considering the Bill and as such failed to make inputs
into areas that they were aggrieved with.
Governor
Umahi said all the stakeholders had unanimously agreed to support the law once
some of the grey areas were addressed.
“It is our
finding that the Miyetti Allah refused to appear at the public hearings
organized by the state while this Bill was under consideration and so could not
lay their complaints on areas that affected them negatively.
“After much
deliberation, we have agreed that certain of the law should be revisited to
reflect the complaints that arise from this interaction. That means despite the
grace period given earlier, more grace period would still be granted during
which these issues would be looked into and the pioneer ranches would be set
up.
“I think it
is important to acknowledge and appreciate the leadership model displayed by
the governor who listened dispassionately to the issues raised by all the
parties and has agreed to give room for the complaints made by some
stakeholders to be factored into the law. I am sure this would mark the end of
herders farmers crisis in the state”, Umahi said.
Governor
Umahi noted with delight that both farmers and herders had agreed to shield
their swords and warned that the state government has right to make laws that
are binding on its subjects and attempts by any individual or groups to resist
the law as is passed by the state assembly and signed by the governor amounts
to intolerable lawlessness.
Recall that
the state anti open grazing bill was signed into law on 24th July, 2017 but
only came into partial effect on the 24th January, 2018 after a six months
grace period declared by the governor.
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