From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
Edo State House of Assembly has finally bowed to pressure from the public to kill the bill seeking to establish agency for nomadic cattle rearing and grazing in the state
The executive arm of government, religious bodies, civil society, non-government organisations and other professional groups strictly opposed the bill which had pass through second reading during the two days public hearing organised by the House of Assembly.
But, the House formally discontinued with the bill yesterday after considering the findings and recommendations of the report on the bill at a committee of the whole presided over by the Speaker, Justin Okonoboh.
Chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business, Henry Okhuareobo, said 54 oral and written petitions against the bill were received which came up with 12 findings and one recommendation. Among its findings, the committee said ranches should be the exclusive right of the indigenous people, that land should only be acquired by the state government only on public interest, adding that larger percent of Edo people rejected the bill. It, therefore, recommended that further consideration of the bill should be discontinued.