South-East, South-South reject grazing bill before National Assembly

Members of the state Houses of Assembly in the South-East and South-South geo-political zones of the country at a joint session at the weekend have passed a motion rejecting the deliberation of the cattle grazing and control bill before the National Assembly.

At the session held at the Imo House of Assembly, Owerri and presided over by the host Speaker, Acho Ihim, had Speakers of other assemblies in the two zones in attendance.

In the motion sponsored by a member representing Abia North in Abia House of Assembly, Dr. Blessing Nwagba, and co-sponsored by all the lawmakers there, condemned the bill, regretting that the Presidency was yet to do much to tackle the challenges posed by Fulani herdsmen in alleged rape, killing and other inhuman activities in the zones and other parts of the country.

They also resolved that governments in the two zones should set up task forces to watch what happens in that regard in all the local councils of the zones.

The lawmakers said that in the past, herdsmen carry long sticks, wondering the source of carrying AK-47 rifles with impunity and disregard of the law.

According to them, the herdsmen should be restricted to a particular location, and not to cause all forms of trouble in the land.