BY IKHILI EBALU, BENIN CITY
Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOCSO)
has called on the Edo State governor, Godwin Obaseki and the State House of Assembly not to cede any part of the People’s land for RUGA
The group in a protest to the House of Assembly, yesterday, said,
Cattle rearing is a private venture and should be left as it is.
In their statement, signed by
Bishop Dr.Osadolor , TEC interim chairman and Comrade Keshi St Lawrence interim Secretary General , said, “owners of cattle have the financial wherewithal to buy or lease any size of land for their business.
“Let it be known that, what the state House Assembly is about to do will hunt ard hurt our children’s children when new communities of herders would have become indigenous by reason of population growth and long stay.
“Cattle rearing is a private venture and should be left as it is. The owners of cattle have the financial wherewithal to buy or lease any size of land for their business. It has become difficult for us to understand the rationale of government in doing land acquisition for cattle owners when it has not done same for others in different agricultural ventures that requires land.”
One of the co ordinators , Comrade Osaze Edigin said,
“The proposed law should be as simple as prohibiting open grazing of cattle and other livestock with penalties for violation. A businessman that intends to go into rearing of Cattle also understand the requirements in making it feasible. It should not be in the place of government to get him a business place”.
Addressing the protesters, the Speaker of the House, Marcus Onobun, assured them of doing the people bid.
” We are here to represent the people who voted us. We will never support a bill that will be Anti people’s bill.”
“I will not cede my father’s land nor will I support anyone to cede their father’s land to anybody.”
Meanwhile, the state government in reaction through the Secretary to the state government, Osarodion Ogie, said, “Anti-open grazing bill is still being deliberated at Edo Assembly and is not a law or state policy.
According to him, “The State’s Anti-Open Grazing Bill is still undergoing legislation at the Edo State House of Assembly and has not been passed into law neither is it a state policy
He advised members of the public who are concerned about parts of the bill to make input before its passage by the House.
“Civil society groups who are raising concerns about sections of the bill can constructively engage with the Assembly and not resort to acts that could cause a breakdown of law and order in the state”.
“The lawmaking process is one that involves comprehensive assessment of a bill before passage and it is refreshing that the conversation on the bill is generating public interest but this must not degenerate to civil disturbances capable of being hijacked by unscrupulous elements.
“We hereby call on all those who have reservations about sections of the bill to explore the statutory provisions of the law in making their contribution”. … Continue reading