The Ondo State House of Assembly on thursday passed into law, a bill to regulate security, rearing and grazing of livestock and establishment of ranches into law.
Two other bills, which include a bill for a law to provide for the management of funds accruing to the state Judiciary from the consolidated revenue fund of the state and a bill for a law to eliminate violence in private and public life and prohibition of all forms of violence against persons (VAPP) were equally passed into law during plenary.
The bills are for a law to regulate rearing and grazing of livestock and to provide for the establishment of ranches and a bill for a Law to provide for the management of fund accruing to the Ondo State Judiciary from the consolidated revenue fund of ondo State to ensure accountability, transparency, effective and efficient utilization of the funds and other matters connected therewith.
Others include a bill for a law to eliminate violence in private and public life Prohibit all forms of violence against person and to provide for maximum and effective remedies for victims and punishment of offenders and other related matters.
The passage followed submission of reports by the Chairmen, House Committees on the bills at the plenary on thursday presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon Bamidele Oleyelogun.
The Chairman house committee on Agriculture, Hon Taofik Mohammed, Chairman house committee on selection, and the Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Samuel Aderoboye and Hon Akintomide Akinrogunde, who presented on behalf of the Ad-hoc Chairman house committee on gender based violence said the bills were in the best interest of all citizens of Ondo State.
Mohammed noted that the bill on a law to regulate rearing and grazing of livestock would go a long way in preventing destructions of farm crops and put an end to clashes between farmers and herders as well as support the growth of livestock farming.
On his part, the deputy speaker, Aderoboye, noted that the bill would regulate the activities as regards the Judiciary fund management in line with the objective of the law.
In his recommendations, Akinrogunde posited that the bill would not only enhance the security of women, children and the vulnerable persons, but also transform the state into safe haven as well as enhance prosecution.
After due consideration of the reports and inherent benefits to the state, the bills were unanimously passed into law.
Reacting a community leader from Okeagbe Akoko, Chief Elijah Oluwasola described the passage of the grazing bill as timely and commendable.
Oluwasola who is also a farmer, expressed optimism that if signed into law by Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, it would reduce unscrupulous activities of killer herders who destroy farmland in the state.
Another farmer from Ikare Akoko, Mr Olaniyi Ayodele, who claimed he was yet to see full contents of the grazing bill, however expressed delight that the lawmakers and the governor had shown uncommon courage to enact the anti-open grazing law.
An Akure based public affairs commentator, Mr Dayo Ade also commended the passage of the grazing bill.
CSO, NAWOJ LAUD PASSAGE OF VAPP BILL
The coordinator of Network of health journalists in Nigeria, ondo state chapter, Alhaja Fatima muraina has commended the passage of the VAPP act into law by the state House of Assembly.
Alhaja muraina said this would put rapists, political thugs and other violators of women right under control and punishment.
She urged Civil society organizations in the state to use the domestication of the law to swing into action by calling for justice for victims of sexual and domestic violence.
Also, the chairperson of Nigeria Association of women journalists, Nawoj ondo state, Mrs Doris olumoko said the news of the passage was a good development for the women of ondo state as it would attract a lot of benefit in seeking justice for victims of abuses in the state.
Speaking on the development, the executive director of a Nongovernmental organisation in ondo state, Kids&Teens Resources Centre, Mrs Folasade Bamigboye described the passage of the Act as a welcome development that would go a long way to checkmate incessant abuses against women and children in the state
Mrs Bamigboye stressed that the development would make the work of CSOs much easier as she commended the lawmakers for the job well done
