According to Barrister Olasunkanmi Olaleye, Oyo State’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, the state’s anti-open grazing ordinance remains in effect.
Speaking to reporters at an interministerial press briefing on Thursday in Ibadan, Olaleye made this statement.
Among other political officials, the Chief Press Secretary, the state governor, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju, and the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Adenike Adeyemo, attended the press briefing.
According to the DAILY POST, the anti-open grazing bill was approved by the State House of Assembly in 2019 and then signed into law by Governor Seyi Makinde.
The commissioner stated that the legislation against open grazing remains in effect and issued a warning that those found guilty of breaking it will face consequences.
In the past two years, Olaleye said, over 58 cows have been taken into custody, and numerous herdsmen have faced legal charges for breaking the law.
He insisted that in order to improve security, the state government built a security post at Ijaye Farm Settlement.
According to him, the state is now safe for farmers who have intention to go into commercial farming.
Olaleye said, “On the herdsmen attack that you spoke about, Oyo State is the safest for farmers. We have enough arable farmlands. We have the highest number of Amotekun personnel.
In the past two years, over 58 cows have been taken into custody. Many herdsmen have been fined by us for breaking the law. We have filed legal charges against a few herdsmen.
“The law against open grazing remains in effect. At Ijaye Farm Settlement, we have built a security post. Thus, the Ijaye Farm Settlement still has no farmers.
“We have also had discussions with some communities to give us their unused lands so we can use them for agricultural production in order to ensure food security.”
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