BREAKING: Open-Grazing Ban, VAT Bills Pass Second Reading At Lagos Assembly

The Open-Grazing ban and VAT bills have passed second second reading at the Lagos Assembly.

EKOHOTBLOG reports that the bill on Open-Grazing ban and the Lagos Value Added Tax (VAT) bill have on Monday passed second reading at the Lagos State House of Assembly.

The Assembly, EKOHOTBLOG reports, committed the bill on Open-Grazing ban to the Committee on Agriculture, and also read for the first and second time, the Lagos VAT bill and directed the Committee on Finance to give a report on Thursday.

Speaking, the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, described the ‘Prohibition of Open Cattle Grazing Bill’ as one that would ensure a harmonious relationship between herders and farmers, and protect the South-West environment.

The Speaker further suggested that the proposal would make provision for the registration of herders and prepare them for ranching.

While on the VAT bill, Obasa stated that it would lead to an increase in revenue and infrastructure development in line with fiscal federalism just as he enjoined the Lagos State Government to do everything legally possible to ensure that the judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, is sustained up to the Supreme Court.

The Speaker, however, lamented that while Lagos State generates about N500bn annually and others in the South-West region generate around N300bn, they all remain paltry amounts to the Federal Government (FG)

In his contribution, the lawmaker representing Alimosho 1, Bisi Yusuff, lamented the havoc herdsmen have caused in the region, saying the farmers have been terrified to visit their farms, with many now indebted because it is difficult to pay back loans.

The House of Assembly member further condemned cattle roaming, the fear and accidents they cause, and advocated stiffer penalties for herders carrying firearms.

The latest development, EKOHOTBLOG reports, is coming a few days after President Muhammadu Buhari directed that 368 grazing sites across 25 states of the country be reviewed.

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