By Austin Ogwuda
Delta State House of Assembly has passed a resolution calling on the State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to as a matter of urgency, prevail on the Delta State Police Command and other security agencies to rise up to the task of curtailing herdsmen siege at Abraka, Ethiope East constituency and environs.
They want the Governor to fully activate the Open Grazing Law passed by the previous Assembly by ensuring the implementation of the Law.
This was sequel to a Motion brought under matters of Urgent Public Importance by the Deputy Speaker who is equally the Member representing Ethiope East Constituency in the State Assembly, Rt Hon Arthur Akpowhowho during Tuesday’s plenary.
The Deputy Speaker, Akpowhowho in the motion stated that the call became necessary in order to forestall possible breakdown of law and order in the State.
He sought the urgent intervention of the State Governor, through the office of the Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr. Wale Abass in addressing the ugly development before degenerating into uncontrollable chaos, as farmers are presently afraid to go to their farms.
Akpowhowho explained that residents in Abraka community in Ethiope East local Government now dread accessing their farms following “the activities of herders who either rape, harass and or kill the farmers”.
The Deputy Speaker emphasized that to forestall the possible reprisal, there was an urgent need for the Governor, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wale Abass and other security agencies to act fast.
He stated that “the issue of herdsmen harassing, maiming, raping and killing farmers in Delta State is indeed worrisome.
“Also worrisome is the fact that when people are being denied access to their farms, there is bound to be hunger in the land. Therefore, there is the urgent need for government to pay concerted effort in containing this ugly trend”, Akpowhowho stated.
In their separate contributions some of the lawmakers including; Charles Emetulu, Ndokwa West, Spencer Ohwofa, Ughelli North 11, Oboro Preyor, Bomadi, Bridget Anyafulu, Oshimili South and Matthew Omonde, Ughelli North 1, said the resolution of the House was in line with constitutional provisions of Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Lawmakers noted the need for government to act fast in order to save the State from imminent danger.
They particularly asked the Executive to ensure the enforcement of the Open Grazing Law as passed by the Delta State House of Assembly.
Describing the motion as apt and timely, the lawmakers were unanimous in their submission that untill something urgent was done, the State might soon begin to suffer acute shortage of agricultural produce if farmers continue to dread going to farm as a result of the activities of herdsmen.
Significantly, the motion which became the first motion passed under Matters of Urgent Public Importance by the present 8th Assembly was unanimously adopted by the House following a voice vote called by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor.
