Breaking: Senate Passes-Bill To Establish National Animal Husbandry And Ranches-Commission After Heated Debate (Details)

Breaking: Senate Passes-Bill To Establish National Animal Husbandry And Ranches-Commission After Heated Debate (Details)

Following a contentious debate on Wednesday, the Nigerian Senate has approved a bill aimed at establishing the National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission. Sponsored by Senator Titus Tartenger Zam representing Benue North West, the bill seeks to regulate and manage cattle rearing ranching businesses across the country.

Senator Zam outlined the bill’s core principles, emphasizing the necessity for the proposed Commission to oversee, regulate, and preserve ranches nationwide. He stated, “The proposed National Animal Husbandry and Ranches Commission is for management, preservation, and control of ranches throughout Nigeria.”

However, the bill faced staunch opposition from Senator Danjuma Goje from Gombe and Senator Adamu Aliero from Kebbi, both former governors. They argued that cattle rearing and ranching activities predominantly occur in the North, implying that legislation should cater to the entire nation, not a specific region.

Senator Goje particularly pointed out that cattle routes primarily traverse the North, extending only as far as Lokoja, asserting, “the route does not extend to the South.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Senator Hussein Babangida Uba, representing Jigawa North-West, urged caution in passing the bill due to its history of controversy.

Despite the opposition, supporters of the bill contended that the proposed Commission could effectively manage the farmers/herders crisis, making a case for its passage.

Ultimately, the bill was passed through a voice vote by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio. It has been referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Judiciary, and Legal Matters for further review within a four-week period.