Bayelsa State House of Assembly has rejected a bill before the National Assembly seeking to establishment of grazing reserves for herdsmen across states in the country.
Mietama Obordor representing Ogbia constituency 1 in a motion during the plenary yesterday called on the Bayelsa lawmakers to reject the bill.
According to Obordor, there have been complaints from several communities in the state of the excess of herdsmen including encroachment into peoples’ lands and destruction of farmlands.
He disclosed that affected communities include Agudiama-Epie, Okutukutu, Gbarain, Tombia, Amassoma, Elebele, Otuasega, Kolokuma/Opokuma and Sagbama.
Obordor called for urgent action to protect people from actions of the herdsmen to avoid break down of law and order as people might resort to self defence to protect themselves if the Federal Government refused to act.
“The motion is being moved bearing in mind the peculiar nature of our environment which is riverine dominated, leaving our people to manage the remaining upland portion for farm settlement and production of food for livelihood.”
The lawmakers unanimously adopted Obordor’s motion and passed resolution to prohibit the movement of cows from one location to another to avoid damage to crops and farmlands as well as obstruct vehicular movement.
The House also urged the state government to take a cue from the Ekiti State Government and set up a special task force to monitor activities of herdsmen and ensure the prosecution of those that violate the law.