Lawmakers of the Oyo State House of Assembly have implored Governor Seyi Makinde to quickly implement the anti-open grazing law in the state in order to avert another impending clash between farmers and herders.
The House had in October 2019 passed the anti-open grazing bill into law.
The law prohibits grazing of livestock in public, streets, or within the towns across the state.
But it has not been implemented for over a year.
The bill was introduced by the Speaker, Adebo Ogundoyin; Deputy Speaker, Muhammad Abiodun Fadeyi; and other principal officers of the assembly.
Considering what they described as the possible crisis between herders and farmers as dry season approaches, the lawmakers enjoined the executive arm of government to swing into action over the implementation.
This was the resolution of the lawmakers while contributing to a motion on the need to put measures in place to forestall herders/farmers clashes in the state.
The motion was jointly brought to the Assembly by Hon Francis Adetunji (Oluyole) and Hon Saminu Gbadamosi (Atisbo/Saki East).
The lawmakers said, “As the dry season approaches, herders and their cattle from the fast drying North will be moving down to the West to get greener pastures for their animals.
“The concern is that the herders would not restrict grazing of their cattle to uncultivated farmlands alone. Experiences in the past would remind us of the bitter tales our farmers have had to tell.
“Many of our farmers have left their farms for either the fear of being killed by notorious herders or because of great losses they have recorded overtimes due to the wanton destruction of their farms by these set of people and their animals.”
Speaker of the Assembly, Ogundoyin, said efforts must be put in place to avert further clashes between farmers and herders in the state.
Ogundoyin, who presided over the plenary, maintained that security agencies must work together to ensure that the issue of farmers/herders clashes is addressed.
He said, “Our security agents, Amotekun Corps and other vigilance groups must work together to address this menace and arrest these agents of destruction.
“We cannot afford to have an increase in the activities of Fulani herders on our farms.”