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Lagos Assembly: Bills On Open Grazing, VAT Passes Second Reading

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The Lagos State House of Assembly has read for the second time a bill on open grazing and the Value Added Tax bill.

Naija News reports that the Assembly on Monday committed the bill on open grazing to the committee on agriculture, while the bill on VAT was sent to the committee on finance.

This was made known in a statement by Eromosele Ebhomele, the Chief Press Secretary to the Lagos Assembly Speaker.

Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, described the ‘Prohibition of Open Cattle Grazing Bill’ as timely and one that would ensure harmonious relationships between herders and farmers and protect the environment of the state and the southwest zone.

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He also suggested that the bill should make provision for the registration of herders and prepare them for ranching.

“Allocating percel of land is not enough but there should be training of those who would go into ranching,” he said noting that ranching is expensive and required adequate preparation.

Concerning the bill on VAT, Speaker Obasa said it would lead to “increase in revenue and increase in infrastructural development. This is in line with fiscal federalism that we have been talking about.”

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The Assembly speaker said the VAT law when passed, would help the state meet challenges in its various sectors.

He also urged the Lagos State government to do everything legally possible to ensure the judgement of a Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, is sustained even up to the Supreme Court.

It is an opportunity for us to emphasise again on the need for the consideration of true federalism,” he said.

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Speaking earlier on the bill on open grazing, Hon. Bisi Yusuf (Alimosho 1), lamented the havoc that herdsmen had caused in the southwestern zone.

According to him, farmers have continuously become afraid to visit their farms thus causing shortage of food.

Hon Yusuf also said many farmers had become indebted as they now find it difficult to pay back loans they secured.

His position was supported by Hon. Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho 2) who said open grazing in the 21st century is an aberration.

Joseph said the bill would ensure peaceful coexistence, reduce crime and help to guide the activities of herders.

On his part, Hon. Olumoh Saad Lukeman (Ajeromi-Ifelodun 1), suggested that the high court should be made to handle cases from the enforcement of the bill when passed or that the state should establish special courts for such purpose.

Hon. Tobun Abiodun (Epe 1) said it was common to see cattle going to school as if they want to learn while Hon. David Setonji (Badagry 2), recalled “a time we went on oversight function in a school here in Lagos. We were embarrassed by cattle. We had to wait for the herder to move the cattle before we embarked on our oversight function.”

Other lawmakers who contributed during plenary include Hon. Adedamola Richard Kasunmu, Hon. Rasheed Makinde and Hon. Sanni Okanlawon.