The Enugu State House of Assembly has passed the Public Ranch Agency Bill.
Once signed into law, this bill will empower the state government to establish an agency responsible for managing government-owned and privately-owned ranches.
During the discussion before the bill’s passage on Tuesday, Clifford Obe, the representative for Igbo-Eze North Constituency II, expressed optimism that this legislation would help resolve the farmers/herders crisis in the state.
Obe explained that the ongoing crisis has negatively impacted agricultural output, leading to higher food prices in the markets. According to Obe, many farmers have been forced to abandon their farms, resulting in increased crime rates and rural-urban migration.
The bill aims to address these issues by instilling a sense of security among the people. It will require herders to register whenever they enter a community and will establish an agency to provide guidance to herders, reducing the negative impact on both cities and rural areas. Furthermore, the bill will enable the state government to collect taxes from herders, who were previously exempt.
Obe emphasized the importance of this bill in promoting peaceful coexistence and reducing the intrusion of herders into communities. Okechukwu Aneke, the representative for Udi South Constituency, also emphasized the need for coexistence with herders, highlighting that herders are not limited to the Fulani ethnic group.
Aneke stressed that the herders are here to stay and that the bill aims to regulate their activities. He clarified that those invading and attacking communities are not genuine herders. Once established, the agency will designate specific areas where cattle and herders will be stationed. Any herder found outside of these designated areas should be treated as an intruder and a potential kidnapper, as stated by Aneke.
Harrison Ogara, representing Igboeze South State Constituency, believes that this bill will promote peace between farmers and herders. He urged the executive arm of the government to implement the bill strategically.
In conclusion, Speaker Chief Uche Ugwu assured the people of Enugu State that the Assembly is committed to passing bills that contribute to peace and harmony in the state.
