Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has passed a bill prohibiting open grazing in the state.
The bill for the prohibition of open rearing and grazing of livestock was passed during a plenary session on Tuesday.
The development comes about five days after the lawmakers passed the bill for second reading.
The bill sponsored by Udo Kieran, a member representing Oruk Anam state constituency, also provides for the establishment of ranches and livestock administration, regulation and control.
Asuquo Udo, chairman committee on agriculture, presented a joint report on the bill after which the lawmakers voted and adopted all its clauses.
Subsequently, Aniekan Bassey, speaker of the house, directed Mandu Umoren, clerk of the house, to transmit copies of the bills to Udom Emmanuel, governor of the state, for assent.
In May, the governors of the southern region, in a meeting in Asaba, Delta state capital, resolved to ban open grazing and the movement of cattle by foot.
The decision of the governors stirred mixed reactions as some Nigerians commended them for the initiative, while some disagreed, including Abubakar Malami, the attorney-general of the federation (AGF).
