Journalists urge Delta Assembly to pass anti-grazing bill

• ‘Govt won’t tolerate parallel administration in Okpanam’

Journalists under the auspices of the Delta State chapter of the Indigenous Correspondents Chapel (ICC) has called on members of the state House of Assembly to urgently pass the Anti-Grazing Bill currently before it into law.

They made the call during a courtesy call by its new executive led by Barth Ozah on the Speaker, Sheriff Oborevwori and principal officers of the House.Ozah, who spoke on behalf of the correspondents, explained that passing the Bill into law would help check the excesses of the rampaging herdsmen that are terrorising the people of Delta.

He said: “It is expedient to ask for the urgent passage of the Anti-Grazing Bill currently before the House, as it will not only check the excesses of the rampaging herdsmen terrorising the state but will go a long way in ensuring that the SMART Agenda of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, anchored on agriculture, is realised.”

The Indigenous Correspondents, an arm of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), also called for more robust engagement between the House leadership and the Parliamentary Staff Association of Nigeria (PASAN) to avoid the unnecessary bickering that characterised its relationship with the leadership of the House in the past.

Ozah also commended the Speaker for appointing a seasoned journalist, Dennis Otu as his Chief Press Secretary, pointing out that his appointment underscored the importance that the Speaker attaches to the press.

Speaking, Oborevwori said the Anti-Grazing Bill was being worked on, pointing out that the House was still consulting on it. “We decided to put it on hold to do more consultations. When we come back from recess, we will work on the Bill so that by the time we finish work on it the people of Delta will be happy. I want to assure you on that,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Delta State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Peter Mrakpor has said that having presented the symbol of authority to Michael Mbanefo Ogbolu, as the Ugoani of Okpanam, government duly recognises him as the traditional head of Okpanam Kingdom.

He added that any person or group of persons running a parallel government in Okpanam was walking its way to prison, as the state would not condone a parallel administration in Okpanam.

He made the statement at a peace meeting to find a lasting solution to the lingering crisis in Obodogba Quarters in Okpanam, Oshimili North council at the weekend.