Assembly holds public hearing on anti-open grazing bill

The bill, which sailed through the second reading last Thursday, is to be passed into law tomorrow, our correspondent learnt.

House Committee Chairman on Information Mr. Aniefiok Dennis, who disclosed this to The Nation yesterday, said representatives of Miyetti Allah Cattle Rearers Association, owners of livestock, the Muslim community and other stakeholders have been invited to the public hearing.

“The essence of the hearing is to get inputs from stakeholders before we pass the bill into law. We want to be thorough and democratic about it.

“Akwa Ibom is a peace loving state. So, we won’t ignore the feelings and opinions of people and groups relevant to the bill.

“I assure you that the House will pass the anti-open grazing bill on Tuesday. I also trust that the governor will give it expeditious assent because as you can see, Akwa Ibom is behind the deadline agreed to by the Southsouth governors at their last meeting in Asaba, the Delta State capital.’’