RUGA : YOU CAN NOT CEDE ANY PART OF OUR LAND FOR CATTLE GRAZING. . . Edo Civil Society tells Obaseki.

By Mike Aladenika.  

While the Edo State Government's sponsored Bill on Anti-open grazing is receiving attention before the state legislators in the state House of Assembly, a group, the Edo Civil Society Organisations (EDOSCO) has warned that no part of the State land would be ceded  to the RUGA project under any form of disguise.

The group  during a protest to the House of Assembly, said, Cattle rearing is a private business venture and should be left as that. 

In their  statement, jointly signed by

Bishop (Dr.) Osadolor Ochei,TEC interim chairman and Comrade  Keshi St Lawrence interim Secretary General respectively , said, "owners of cattles have the financial wherewithal to buy or lease any size of land for their business.

"Let it be known that, what the state House Assembly is about to do will hunt ard hurt our children and grandchildren when new communities of herders would have become indigenous by reason of population growth and long stay. 

"It has become difficult for us to understand the rationale of government in doing land acquisition for cattle owners when it has not done same for others in different agricultural ventures that requires land." 

Comrade Osaze Edigin, a co-ordinator with EDOSCO said, "The proposed law should be as simple as prohibiting open grazing of cattle and other livestock with penalties for violation. A businessman that intends to go into rearing of Cattle also understand the requirements in making it feasible. It should not be in the place of government to get him a business place". 

Addressing the protesters, the Speaker, Edo State House of Assembly,  Marcus Onobun, assured them that "the legislators would do the people bid." 

" We are here to represent the people who voted us. We will never support a bill that will be Anti people."

"I will not cede my father's land nor will I support anyone to cede their father's land to anybody."

Meanwhile, the state government in a  reaction said  "Anti-open grazing bill is still being deliberated at Edo Assembly and is not a law or  state policy.

In a press statement issued in Benin City and  signed by the Secretary to the state government, Osarodion Ogie Esq,  said, 

According to him, "The State's Anti-Open Grazing Bill is still undergoing legislation at the Edo State House of Assembly and has not been passed into law neither is it a state policy

He advised members of the public who are concerned about parts of the bill to make input before its passage by the House.

"Civil society groups who are raising concerns about sections of the bill can constructively engage with the Assembly and not resort to acts that could cause a breakdown of law and order in the state".

"The lawmaking process is one that involves comprehensive assessment of a bill before passage and it is refreshing that the conversation on the bill is generating public interest but this must not degenerate to civil disturbances capable of being hijacked by unscrupulous elements.

"We hereby call on all those who have reservations about sections of the bill to explore the statutory provisions of the law in making their contribution".

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