Onitiri applauds Lagos lawmakers for passing Anti-Open Grazing Law

*Adesunbo Onitiri

(Nigeria) Activist and critic, Chief Adesunbo Onitiri, has commended members of the Lagos State House of Assembly, for the timely passage of the controversial Anti-Open grazing bill into law. 

Onitiri in a statement on Thursday, said the lawmakers have done well for responding to and obeying the voice of wisdom, reasoning of elders, yearnings and  aspirations of the entire people of the state. 

Onitiri, said: “The Southern governors, it will be recalled had at meeting in Lagos recently, in their resolutions gave September1, 2021,  ultimatum to all their states Assemblies to enact Anti-Open Grazing laws to checkmate the unabated killings, maiming, kidnappings of farmers, raping of their wives and children and destruction of farm produce by arms- wielding Fulani herdsmen in various parts of the southern  states. 

“Since the resolutions were adopted, many of the states have passed the law, while others are yet to give effect to the governors' decision. 

“The Lagos State House of Assembly Anti-Open grazing law in one of its provisions,  prescribes 21 years jail term to armed herders indulging in open grazing in any part of the state. 

“This is the only way to forestall impending hunger and economic downturn in the southern  states, and put a stop to the incessant herders/ farmers clashes in the areas. 

“The Meyiti-Allah Cattle Breeders Association few days ago, mocked the Southern governors that they could not give effect to their September resolutions because according to the organization, the would not speak with one voice. 

“All the southern  governors should ensure the Ant-Open grazing laws should be passed to prove that they meant business and they could bark and bite. 

“The state Assembly is also called upon to also enact laws that will checkmate the nefarious activities of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in the state. 

“The Lagos State government should as a matter of urgency also outlaw the illegal collection of fees by the NURTW which was put at a whooping N123billion yearly.

“The money should be channelled to develop other areas of the economy, like completion of Lagos-Badagry Express Road; solve the problem of drainage and flooding in the city; and  provide required infrastructures, and jobs for unemployed teaming youths in the state,” Onitiri added.