As the Lagos State House of Assembly readies for a public hearing on the Prohibition of Open Cattle Grazing Bill, the lawmakers said legislation when passed will ensure harmonious relationships between herders and farmers in the state.
The house stated this after the bill was read for the second time at the plenary yesterday.
It also said the bill would protect the environment of the state and the southwest zone.
In his remarks, the speaker of the house, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa, described the bill as “timely” and thereafter referred the bill to the committee on agriculture for public hearing.
The speaker also suggested that the bill should make provision for the registration of herders, and prepare them for ranching.
“Allocating parcel of land is not enough, but there should also be training for those who will go into ranching, as ranching is expensive and requires adequate preparation,” he added.
Also speaking, Mr. Bisi Yusuff (Alimosho 1), said farmers had continuously become afraid to go to their farms because of the activities of criminal herdsmen.
He also said many farmers were in debts as they find it difficult to pay back loans they secured.
For his part, Mr. Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho 2), said the bill would ensure peaceful coexistence, reduce crime and help to guide the activities of herders.
In his contribution, Mr. Olumoh Lukeman (Ajeromi-Ifelodun 1), suggested that the high court should be made to handle cases from enforcement of the bill when passed, or that the state should establish special courts for such purpose.
Also, Mr. Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti-Osa 1), expressed support for the bill, saying it would give a level of security to the state and help reduce economic losses.
He added that Lagos has 250 hectares of land in Ikorodu and another 750 hectares in Epe for ranching.
Mr. David Setonji (Badagry 2), suggested a collaboration between men of the Neighbourhood Safety Corps and the police in the implementation of the law when passed and assented to.
“There was a time we went on oversight function in a school here in Lagos.
“We were embarrassed by cattle. We had to wait for the herder to move the cattle before we embarked on our oversight function,” he added.
The house also read for the first and second time, the state’s value added tax bill and asked the committee on finance, which handled it to report back on Thursday, September 9.
On the VAT bill, Obasa said it would further lead to an increase in revenue and infrastructural development.
“This is in line with fiscal federalism that we have been talking about,” he said.
Obasa said the VAT law, when passed, would help the state meet challenges in its various sectors.
He also urged the state government to do everything legally possible to ensure the judgment of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, was sustained even up to the Supreme Court.
The speaker decried a situation where about N500 billion would be generated from the state, while N300 billion was generated from other southwest states, but a paltry amount would be given to Lagos State in return.
Obasa said it was an opportunity for the state to emphasise again the need for the consideration of true federalism.
