Obiano signs anti-open grazing bill into law

Willie Obiano, governor of Anambra state, has signed the anti-open grazing bill into law.

Obiano assented to the ‘Cattle and Other Livestock Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Bill’ on Friday,  at the governor’s lodge in Amawbia, Awka, the state capital.

The development comes less than two weeks after the bill was passed at the state house of assembly.

Obiano appreciated the state house of assembly for the “expeditious passage” of the bill.

He said the establishment of the law will “hopefully bring about peace”, as the state had been adopting short-term measures to manage the crises arising from issues affecting farmers and herders.

The governor said the law enforcement agencies have been directed to immediately commence the implementation of the law.

Present at the event were Uju Nworgu, Anambra attorney-general and commissioner for justice; Solo Chukwulobelu, secretary to the state government; Echeng Echeng, commissioner of police; Nnamdi Onkwuba, commissioner for agriculture; and Nnaemeka Achebe, chairman of the south-east council of traditional rulers.

Others were Sunday Okafor, the traditional ruler of Okpuno; Peter Anugwu, the traditional ruler of Mbaukwu; and John Nwokoye, member representing Awka-north at the state house of assembly.