ABUJA – Much touted and largely obnoxious grazing reserves, proposed to be established in all states of the Federation, yesterday, scaled its First Reading in the Senate of the Federal Republic.
Also presented and passed for First Reading in the red chamber, was National Ranches Commission, sponsored by Sen. Barnabas Gemade (Benue North).
The National Grazing Reserve Agency being sponsored by former governor of Kano state, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano Central), has been largely criticised and rejected in Southern Nigeria for its oppressive nature.
If passed, the Grazing Reserve law would deny the ownership right of any Nigerian to his or her piece of land that tinkles the fancy of the Agency, which is also empowered to pay whatever they deem fit.
Those against the bill argued that it is self serving for cow owners, who are predominantly the oligarchical Fulanis, some of whom are retired and serving military officers, top civil servants, politicians and traditional rulers.
The rejection became very strong, following merciless invasion and massacre of rural communities by Hausa/Fulani herdsmen, who on each occasion leave in their trails burnt houses and unquantifiable destructions of life and property.
They therefore, canvassed purchase of lands by the cattle rearers for establishment of ranches, where the animals could be restricted, should they insist on doing business in the South.
Meanwhile, in what looked like a back-up or fortification of the bully quest for spaces in all regions of the country for grazing, a bill for establishment of a National Ranches Commission, aimed at committing the Federal Government into ranching business in the country has been introduced to the Senate.
