On Tuesday, the Enugu State House of Assembly approved the Public Ranch Management Agency bill, empowering the state government to establish an agency responsible for overseeing both government-owned and privately-owned ranches within the state.
During the deliberation before passing the bill, Clifford Obe, the representative for Igbo-Eze North Constituency II, emphasized that the legislation aimed to address the longstanding conflict between farmers and herders in the state.
Obe highlighted the adverse impact of the farmer/herder crisis on agricultural productivity in the local market, citing instances of farmers being displaced from their lands, which resulted in increased criminal activities and rural-to-urban migration.
He noted that the bill would provide a sense of security, mandate herders to register upon entering communities, curb criminal activities, manage cattle activities in urban and rural areas, and enable the state to collect taxes from herders who were previously tax-exempt.
Additionally, Okechukwu Aneke, representing Udi South Constituency, reassured the public that the bill targeted all herders, not just Fulanis, advocating for peaceful coexistence between the communities and herders.
Aneke emphasized the need for proper control of herders, distinguishing between legitimate herders and those instigating conflicts in communities.
Chima Obieze, another legislator, lamented the opposition to the bill based on misinformation, urging critics to familiarize themselves with the contents before raising concerns.
He discouraged the spread of misinformation that could discourage potential business investments from people in other regions and emphasized the adherence to existing laws for nomadic herders operating in Enugu.
Harrison Ogara, representing Igbo-Eze South, expressed optimism that the bill would foster peace between farmers and herders, urging strategic implementation by the executive arm of the government.
The Speaker, Chief Uche Ugwu, assured the residents that the Assembly prioritizes bills that promote peace and harmony within the state.
The passage of this bill aligns with the Southern Governors’ directive to halt open grazing by a specified deadline, aiming to protect farms, crops, settlements, and community infrastructure from the devastation caused by open rearing and grazing practices.