Efio-Ita Nyok|9 November 2017
Sequel to the Sunday 5th November deadly fracas that ensued between a Fulani herdsman and an Ugaga native of Yala LGA where an herdsman was confirmed dead and an Ugaga indigene's hand chopped of, the distinguished Senator representing the Northern Senatorial District of Cross River State at the National Assembly, Dr Mrs Rose Okoji Oko, has lend her voice in condemning the attack on her constituents NegroidHaven has learnt. Oko referred to the incident as dastardly, provocative, unnecessary and unwarranted.
Her words, 'I condemn in strong terms the attack by Fulani herdsmen that occurred in Ugaga, a peaceful community in my local government, Yala, which is part of the Cross River northern senatorial district which I represent in the Senate, where one was killed and another's hand was cut off. This dastardly and provocative act is unnecessary and unwarranted'.
The distinguished lawmaker commended the state government for what she described as prompt action in response to the news of the ugly incident. Oko informed that in the forthcoming weeks she would initiate a process at the floor of the 8th Senate that will result in the National Assembly wading in to support the affected community, local government and the state in general. She sued for calm, vigilance, and peace.
According to her, 'I commend His Excellency, Governor Ben Ayade for his prompt action and the measure taken so far. His order to the police and other security officials has yielded positive results as I gathered peace and normalcy has been restored. I equally thank other state officials, community leaders and security personnel for their prompt response to forestall breakdown of law and order.
'In the coming days and weeks I intend to lobby my colleagues in the Senate to support the state government and the good people of Cross River State towards ensuring adequate security of lives and property.
'I urge our people to continue to remain vigilant, law abiding and maintain the peace of the community'.
Meanwhile, the Cross River State House of Assembly has rejected the Grazing Commission Bill currently been proposed by the National Assembly, advocating for a closed and regulated ranch reserve system.
In a motion of urgent public importance initiated by the Deputy Whip of the House, Rt. Hon Ogana Lukpata, the members unanimously rejected an open grazing system in the state and called on the state government and other relevant agencies to give effect to the content of the latest resolution of the state Assembly.
The House further called on the state government to ban open grazing of cattle and other animals, advising that interested farmers should engage in a closed and regulated ranch system under the policy framework of the state Ministry of Agriculture.
This position of the 8th House of Assembly is contradicting an earlier position of the State Governor who said that passing the law banning open grazing will kick some persons out of business. According to Governor Ben Ayade recently, 'if all the states pass a stiff law against grazing, then we are wiping out that trade and source of livelihood of some persons and if on the other hand, we also do nothing, and they continue to wipe out the crops, then you are also wiping out the source of living of another set of people.
'At this juncture, it is wise for us to call on the Federal Government to live up to its responsibilities by responding adequately to the plight of the people affected by the menace of herdsmen across the country.'
Efio-Ita Nyok
Is a Blogger, the Editor-in-Chief & Publisher of NegroidHaven
