- Set To Wield Legislative Big Stick Against Violators
- Warn LG Chairmen, Security Operatives Against Perceived Compromise
BY ANDREW IKEHI
The Delta State House of Assembly says it would stop at nothing in ensuring that laws made in the State, particularly those that bother largely on the security of lives and property were enforced and obeyed to the latter.
The Chairman, House of Assembly Committee on Legislative Compliance, Rt. Hon Arthur Akpowowo, who said this during an enlarged meeting with local government chairmen in the State, said that the State legislature was prepared to wield the ‘big legislative’ stick on violators of the State Anti-Open Grazing law .
Rt. Hon. Akpowowo, who is the Deputy Speaker of the State legislature, expressed worry that despite the existence of the law, people still brazenly engage in open grazing across the various local government areas of the State.
This, the lawmaker said, is unacceptable and must be contained without any form of compromise.
Flanked by other members of the committee who included; the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. EmekaNwaobi, Minority leader, Hon. Edafe Emakpor, Chief Whip, Hon. Perkins Umukoro, Hon. Bernard Odior as well as the member representing Burutu Two State constituency, Hon PereotuOloye, the committee chairman said that the House would not hesitate to clampdown on any person (s), groups, associations or establishment who is (are) bent on frustrating the implementation of the law.
He, particularly enjoined all the 25 local government council chairmen in the state to, as a matter of necessity, ensure smooth and immediate implementation and enforcement of the law in their respective council areas, adding that any council chairman who flouts the order may incur the wrath of the State legislature
He maintained that the order had become imperative in order to salvage the State from the prevailing herders menace which he noted, is already threatening the relative peace and security in the State. The Deputy Speaker maintained that the prevailing herders menace which has resulted in the death, and rape of residents in the State, is already threatening food security in the State and beyond as farmers, for fear of losing their lives, no longer go to farm.
Speaking with journalist shortly after the barely two-hours meeting, the State Deputy Speaker said, “This meeting became necessary due to the flagrant violation of the existing laws, particularly the Anti-Open Grazing law in the State. “We are by this meeting sending our strong message to all the law enforcement agents in the State as well as the various local government chairmen to ensure that any viator of the law should be apprehended, detained and prosecuted within 24 hours.
“This measure has become necessary in order to send strong signal to those who still engage in open grazing” Rt. Hon. Akpowowo said.
Resounding, all the council chairmen, unanimously expressed appreciation to the State lawmakers for their proactive disposition assuring that they would carry on with the directive.
