Edo State House of Assembly (EDHA) yesterday received 24 copies of a bill for a law to prohibit open grazing of cattle and other livestock in the state.
The anti-open law, which has been passed in some southern states of Nigeria bans the movement of cattle by herders in public places. It is a measure of curbing the persistent clashes between herders and farmers.
With the presentation of copies of the bill to the House by Governor Godwin Obaseki, the Speaker, Marcus Onobun, described the bill as expedient and has been receiving inputs from members and different stakeholders on issues of open grazing and other related matters.
Members slated the bill for consideration on a later date for more consultations and recommendations.
Meanwhile, a motion calling on the Edo State Government, Ministry of Works and other relevant agencies to apprehend unregistered vehicles and tricycles in parts of the state was also read at plenary.
Sponsor of the motion, who is the Deputy Whip and member representing Igueben Constituency, Ephraim Aluebhosele appealed that the motion is stepped down for more consultation and inputs from members and other stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), yesterday, said the handover of the Benin bronze works from Cambridge and Aberdeen in the United Kingdom by the Nigerian High Commissioner to Britain would take place on Saturday at Oba palace.
A statement signed by the Secretary, Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor, said the general public would witness the ceremony.
He said: “The general public is hereby invited to join His Royal Majesty in receiving the Benin bronze of Okpa “Cockerel” and the bust of an Oba (Uhunilao) from Jesus College, Cambridge in Britain and Aberdeen in Scotland respectively,” he said.
