BENIN CITY – The Speaker of Edo House of Assembly, Rt.Hon.Marcus Onobun on Monday said that the house would not cede any part of land in the state to anybody for whatever reason.
Rt.Hon.Onobun made the promise when he received members of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups who protested to the assembly over section 5(7) of the anti-open grazing bill currently being considered by the house.
The Nigerian Observer reports that the house had on Tuesday, March 15. began the clause by clause consideration of the bill for a law to prohibit open grazing of cattle and regulate other livestock in Edo.
The bill, however, suffered setback as lawmakers disagreed over clause 5(7) of the bill which gave powers to a ranch committee to be constituted by the state governor to determine the size of land suitable for ranching.
Speaking further, Rt.Hon.Marcus Onobun commended the group for a peaceful protest adding that, government wants ranching as practiced in developed countries.
The speaker noted that the bill seeks legislative approval to regulate activities of ranchers.
“I have the same right as you all have in the state, am only privileged to represent you in the assembly.
“We will not pass law that we will be victims of. We will rather pass laws that will promote peace in the state.
” To dispel the rumour that you are protesting against, I will assure you that Edo government does not intend to take anybody’s land
” The bill clearly prohibits open grazing and seek to constitute a committee to regulate activities of those that would want to go into ranching,” he said.
Earlier, The Coalition of Civil Society Groups called on the assembly to as a matter of urgency call for a public hearing on the proposed anti- open grazing bill before further consideration of the bill before the assembly.
Comrade Curtis Ogbebor, who spoke on behalf of the protesting group at the assembly complex, said that the group was against a proposed percentage of Edo communal land for ranching.
Ogbebor said’ The Binis are loving and caring people, we are not against anyone doing his or her legitimate businesses.
” We are seriously concerned about the safety of our land, our people and our generation unborn.
” We will not allow any person or group of persons to come into our communities, our heritage and create another community or a settlement which may later become a problem in the future,” he said.
According to him, Cattle rearing is a private business, therefore investors should acquire their land for ranching from individual land owners or communities just like other farmers and businessmen.
