Benue State governor, Samuel Ortom, has successfully
assented the bill prohibiting Open Rearing and Grazing into law.
DAILY POST recalls that the Benue State House of Assembly on
Thursday, May 4 successfully passed the bill prohibiting Open Rearing and
Grazing into law.
Ortom, at a stakeholders’ meeting in Makurdi, the Benue
State capital on Monday described the development as a right step taken in a
right direction.
He said his administration would do all it would to protect
the state from intruders and criminals.
While thanking those who sponsored the bill, the governor
urged them to continue to support his government’s vision of making Benue a
great state.
According to the bill, “Nobody will be permitted to carryout
open grazing outside the permitted ranches.
“Any person who contravene this act shall be guilty and upon
conviction be sentenced to 5 years imprisonment with a fine of 1 million.
“Where damage is done to the crops the farm will be
evaluated and the manager of the livestock be compelled to pay.
“Movement of livestock on foot within the state is hereby
prohibited. Any person who contravene this shall pay be sentenced to one year
imprisonment or pay a fine of 500k
“Any livestock owner or manager who carries fire arms shall
be treated under the penal code. All ranchers shall engage the services of
security agencies.
“Any person who rustles cattle shall be sentenced to 5 years
imprisonment or pay a fine of 100k per cow.
Any livestock wandering shall be
impounded by the department of livestock.
“Any livestock impounded and the owner not found shall be
auctioned to the public and the proceeds be deposited into the state
consolidated revenue account.
“There shall be established a special open prohibition TAX
FORCE they shall enforce this laws as stipulated.”
By Ameh Comrade Godwin
