Ortom signs amended Benue State Grazing Bill into law

Benue State Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Amendment Bill 2017, has been signed into law by Governor Samuel Ortom.

The bill was passed last Tuesday by the state House of Assembly after the lawmakers took time to consider the report of its Standing Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources clause by clause.

Ortom had demanded the review of the bill in order to make it stiffer and for it to be able to deter those who flagrantly disrespect the law.

Now that he has signed the amended bill into law, any person found moving livestock on foot within or across urban centres, rural settlements or any part of Benue State will pay N500,000 as fine for the first offender while a subsequent offender is liable to pay N1 million with appropriate prison terms and options of fine.

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Also, following the signing of the amended document into law, anyone who engages the services of an underaged child risk a 14-year jail term with an option of a N5million fine. There are also various fines for confiscated livestock which includes N50,000 fine per cow, N10,000 per pig, N5,000 per goat and N1,000 per poultry bird.

The governor said the old moderate fine for a confiscated animal which prescribed N2000 per cow was reviewed to N50,000 based on current realities and the cost spent in bringing and caring for them at the state’s quarantine centre.

He added, “If the owners don’t come to collect same day of confiscation, they will have to pay an additional N20,000 for each cow. If you don’t pay within seven days, the law permits us to unction it.”