Ranches bill proposes 5-year jail term for offenders

The National Ranches Commission Establishment Bill, 2024, which has scaled second reading in the Senate is proposing a five-year jail term and N50,000 fine for defaulters when it eventually gets presidential assent and becomes an act of parliament. Our correspondent, who obtained a copy of the bill on Saturday from the National Assembly in Abuja, […]

The National Ranches Commission Establishment Bill, 2024, which has scaled second reading in the Senate is proposing a five-year jail term and N50,000 fine for defaulters when it eventually gets presidential assent and becomes an act of parliament.

Our correspondent, who obtained a copy of the bill on Saturday from the National Assembly in Abuja, reports that it provides restrictions and penalties for offenders.

Daily Trust reports that the bill sponsored by Senator Titus Tartenger Zam (APC, Benue North West) is aimed at establishing ranches for herders in their states of origin, replacing the current practice of open grazing to address the issue of herder/farmer clashes in the country.

If enacted, the National Ranches Commission would oversee the management, preservation and control of ranches nationwide.

Though the bill faced stiff opposition from Northern senators, it finally scaled second reading at the Senate on June 5, 2024.

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The bill in Part 1V, Section 23 (1), says, “Any person who contravenes any provisions of this Act or regulations made hereunder shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of N50,000 or imprisonment for 5 years or both.”

Part 1V, Section 22 (1-7) of the Bill lists an avalanche of actions that would land one in jail if he or she perpetrates them.

It reads, “No person shall alienate any rights affecting land constituted as the National Ranches, by sale, mortgage, assignment, lease, customary pledge, transfer, or otherwise howsoever.

“No improvements shall be done by anybody in the National Ranches without the approval of the Commission or the Ranch Controller in writing. No encroachment of any kind into the National Ranches, enclave, resting points, water points and other designated areas for stock use by anybody whosoever.

“Bush burning and hunting are prohibited within National Ranches. The use of chemicals, felling of trees, destruction of ecosystem in whatever form are strictly prohibited under this Act.

“Movement of cattle from one Ranch to another or market place shall be only by vehicular means. No livestock or cattle shall be allowed by any individual, group of persons or organization to wander, roam, move and or graze outside the National Ranches.”