Livestock: Senate in Heated Debate over Cattle Control Bill | READ DETAILS
chuks oti
Apr 21, 2021
The Senate at plenary yesterday had a heated debate on a Bill for an Act to provide for the National Livestock Bureau to ensure protection, control and management of livestock, registration and cattle rustling in the country.
READ ALSO: Don't judge us by results of August 16 by-election ÔÇè-ÔÇè ADC
The Bill which scaled through second reading is sponsored by Senator Bima Muhammad Enagi (Niger South).
READ ALSO: "Ikwuano Locked Down For Alex Otti" - Monday Ubani SAN Sends Strong Message To Opposition
Leading the debate on its general principles, Enagi said the Bill seeks to ensure livestock health and disease management through disease surveillance, prevention and quick response to disease outbreaks.
READ ALSO: How a Catholic Priest Slumped and Died While Delivering Homily in Delta Church
According to him, the proposed legislation when passed into law will deter animal theft, especially as it affects the incessant cattle rustling crisis; and aid intelligence gathering by security agencies towards mitigating the incessant conflicts between herders and farmers.
While five senators from the North, including the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, spoke in favour of the Bill, Southern Senators kept mum except the Senate's spokesman, Senator Ajibola Bashiru who spoke against it.
READ ALSO: Ikpeazu receives report on post covid-19 economic recovery plan, promises full implementation
Opposing the Bill, while relying on the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, Senator Bashiru, said no aspect of the Exclusive and Concurrent components of the Constitution gives the National Assembly the powers to legislate on Livestock.
READ ALSO: Mother's Day: Abia Government Liaison Officer Honours Women, Says Mothers Shape Future Leaders
He said such matters, according to the Constitution, should be handled by State Houses of Assembly.
READ ALSO: China coronavirus: What we know so far
According to him, proceeding with the consideration and passage of the Bill will be unconstitutional.
READ ALSO: Bloodbath At Wedding: Bandits Kill 13, Abduct Many In Midnight Attack In Kaduna Community
His position was opposed by a Senator from Kebbi State, Bala Ibn N'Allah, who contended that the National Assembly could legislate on the matter.
He insisted that it was the duty of the Federal Government to ensure food security in the country.
READ ALSO: Again, Buhari In A Closed Doors Meeting With NNPC GMD
Contributing, Senate Deputy Whip, Senator Sabi Abdullahi recalled that the Bill was brought before the Eighth Senate but "unfortunately it never went through.
READ ALSO: Ofuji Ndị Igbo Sets 2026 Agenda, Promises Greater Community Engagement
"This Bill is timely and should be supported. We are talking about diversifying the economy the livestock sector is key to this effort."
READ ALSO: #EdoDecides: Owan West Collation Centre Taken Over By Soldiers - PDP Reveals |READ FULL
Corroborating Na'Allah's position, the Senate President said it was within his powers to interpret the Constitution and the Senate's rules.
READ ALSO: Don't judge us by results of August 16 by-election ÔÇè-ÔÇè ADC
He recalled that in February, 2010, the National Assembly, without recourse to the 1999 Constitution, as amended, passed the Doctrine of Necessity motion which ushered in Goodluck Jonathan as acting President, adding that national interest was more important.
READ ALSO: "Ikwuano Locked Down For Alex Otti" - Monday Ubani SAN Sends Strong Message To Opposition
The Senate President thereafter, ruled in favour of the passage for a second reading of the Bill and referred it to the Senate committee on Agriculture and Rural Development which is to report back to plenary within two weeks.
READ ALSO: How a Catholic Priest Slumped and Died While Delivering Homily in Delta Church
Meanwhile, three other bills scaled second reading during plenary on Tuesday.
They are: A Bill for An Act to Amend the Nursing and Midwifery Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021; A Bill for An Act to Establish Integrated Corporate Commercial Data Management Commission; and the Critical Infrastructure Protection Bill, 2021.
Related Stories
Bloodbath At Wedding: Bandits Kill 13, Abduct Many In Midnight Attack In Kaduna Community
"Ikwuano Locked Down For Alex Otti" - Monday Ubani SAN Sends Strong Message To Opposition
Mother's Day: Abia Government Liaison Officer Honours Women, Says Mothers Shape Future Leaders
Why ICPC Is Prosecuting Mike Ozekhome Over a London Property Deal That Has Shaken Nigeria's Legal Circle | READ DETAILS
Ofuji Ndị Igbo Sets 2026 Agenda, Promises Greater Community Engagement
How a Catholic Priest Slumped and Died While Delivering Homily in Delta Church
""
— chuks oti