The Edo State Government has declared as false and malicious rumours of its intentions to jettison the process of enacting its own legislation to promote the well-being and socio-economic future of farmers.
At a Town hall meeting attended by members of the Edo State Executive Council, the government led by Governor Godwin Obaseki, resolved that a law prohibiting open grazing in Edo State was imperative and must be passed as quickly as possible.
The meeting also resolved that the proposed law be drafted to protect the business interests of Edo residents that are currently involved in ranching and trading in cattle and beef.
Beyond the intense politicisation of the issue, the meeting further resolved that the law must ensure the sufficiency of protein guaranteed through cattle produce to ensure food security without jeopardising the lives and livelihoods of the states burgeoning farming community.
According to Mr. Moses Idun, one of the organisers of the stakeholders meeting, “Edo State has no inch of land to gift to anyone or group for the purpose of ranching or such other activities. We are a state of laws and even in drafting laws, we must ensure laws are followed, and an exhaustive and inclusive process is undertaken.” Governor Obaseki enjoined the meeting to ensure the protection of lives and property of farmers under the new law.
He advocated that the law should promote peace, harmony and brotherliness among farming communities, especially to improve the flow of security information between farmers and the state’s robust security architecture. The governor assured participants of a thorough process that will lead to the enactment of an implementable law that would reduce crime to its barest minimum, considering the growing spate of insecurity in the country.
The Chairman of the Committee on Edo State Anti-Open Grazing Law and the Head of Service to Edo State Government, Mr. Anthony Okungbowa, highlighted the state’s desire to create a harmonious working relationship with the various ideological groups in the state, as the proposed Anti-Open Grazing Law should not be politicised to propel a Christian versus Muslim, North versus South or Edo versus Fulani dichotomy, but to deal decisively with insecurity, ensure food security and preserve the socio-economic survival of all Edos amongst other considerations.