The Oyo State House of Assembly has begun public hearing and stakeholders’ engagement on Post Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) inquiry on open rearing and grazing regulation law, 2019.
The public hearing, which was in collaboration with Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), involved various stakeholders including the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Oyo State Security Network (Amotekun), Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA), Ministry of Justice, Nigeria Custom Service, Nigeria Police Force,Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Civil Society Organization among others.
It was held at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, Ibadan on Wednesday.
Declaring the public hearing opened, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, who was represented by his Deputy, Hon. Muhammed Fadeyi disclosed that with adoption of Post Legislative Scrutiny (PLS) by the state legislative arm of government, the Oyo State House of Assembly has broken another record.
He established that the state House of Assembly has taken a step further in the business of lawmaking by adopting the PLS to discuss the functionality of the already passed laws by conducting PLS inquiry, which shortcomings and the level of compliance to determine for its amendment or repealing the law for stricter implementation.
The Speaker assured all stakeholders that all submitted memoranda will be considered and harmonized for necessary actions.
In his welcome address, the House Majority Leader, who is also the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin, said that the aim of the public hearing is to brainstorm and receive ideas on modern legislative practice known as Post-Legislative Scrutiny (PLS).
Hon. Adedoyin disclosed that the Oyo State’s Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, 2019 is sought to bring order and sustainability to the very bedrock of our state’s economy and the complex relationship between the farming and herding communities.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Bar. Olasunkanmi Olaleye described the Oyo State Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law as a law that was borne out of visions. She maintained that the law is still working in progress and that it is yet to get to its highest level.
While emphasizing that the law is not to witch-hunt anybody, rather it is to promote state economic and individual businesses, the Commissioner suggested that local government and traditional rulers should be involved in the operation of the law for effective implementation.
The Chairperson, Oyo State Security Network (Amotekun), Oyo State Rule of Law Enforcement Authority (OYRLEA), Justice Aderonke Aderemi (rtd), said that the law is in existence to serve as a security measure to protect every individual irrespective of ethnic, religion or any other sentiment.
She disclosed that the Open Rearing and Grazing Regulation Law, 2019 has reduced the recurring conflicts between farmers and herders, as well as environmental limitations.
Justice Aderemi suggested increment in the amount of fines and jail terms for offenders, allocation of lands for creation of the agency’s offices across the 33 local government areas by the council chairmen and involvement of traditional rulers in the operation of the law.
In their recommendation, Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) suggested proper education, increased awareness and information on the law to ensure that everyone is carried along before the implementation.
They called for fairness, justice and involvement of local authorities including members of the Fulani community at the local level for accurate data collection and peaceful coexistence.
Other stakeholders also submitted their memoranda which the Speaker has assured them that they will be properly looked into and harmonized.
Some of the lawmakers in attendance at the public hearing include Hon. Gbenga Oyekola, Hon. Sunkanmi Babalola, Hon. Dele Adeola, Hon. Comforter Olajide and Hon. Peter Ojedokun.
