Bill To Ban Open Grazing: Senator Lalong Supports Ranching

…..Advocates Wider Consultation Towards Successful Nationwide Implementation

The Distinguished Senator Representing Plateau South Senatorial District had a busy schedule at the national assembly today as he participated in various Committee engagements as well as the day’s plenary where he contributed to debate on key legislations.

He began the day with a meeting of the Senate Conference Committee on National Assembly Library and Resource Centre Bill where he joined other colleagues at the office of the Chairman for the inaugural meeting of the committee.

Thereafter, Senator Lalong joined his colleagues at the Red Chambers for the day’s legislative business presided over by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The key debate of the day was on a bill to regulate, manage, preserve and control ranches in Nigeria sponsored by Senator Titus Zam.

While contributing to the debate, Senator Lalong said the Bill which seeks to establish the National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission is very important to the nation’s food security agenda and the development of animal husbandry, but must be handled carefully because of past experiences.

Lalong who recalled that he was part of the National Livestock Transformation  Programme under the last administration said the Bill if fine-tuned and passed will help in addressing the recurring farmers-herders conflict across the country.

Senator Lalong noted that aside from satisfying the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution as regards freedom of movement, the ECOWAS protocol is also a challenge that debate on the bill must address.

He recalled that the National Livestock Transformation Programme which was handled under the office of the former Vice President did not enjoy nationwide support as some states refused to implement ranching which enjoyed world Bank funding as a way to end the incessant attacks associated with open grazing.

Senator Lalong therefore emphasized the need for caution and advocated a more robust debate to address some of the issues that made past attempts to fail in order to ensure that the threats posed by open grazing are addressed once and for all.

He also said the adoption of ranching will modernise animal husbandry and create a value chain that will create more jobs and businesses for the citizens.

After the plenary, Senator Lalong participated at the Committee meeting of the Senate Committee on Federal Character.