Worried by the incessant menace caused by herdsmen attacks against farmers and farmlands in Delta State, particularly in Abraka and its environs, the Delta State House of Assembly has again passed a resolution calling on the State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to as a matter of urgency prevail on the Delta State Police Command and other security agencies to rise up to the task of curtailing the sad development.
The resolution was sequel to a motion brought under matters of urgent public importance, sponsored by the Deputy Speaker and member representing Ethiope East Constituency in the State Assembly, Rt Hon Arthur Akpowowo, during Tuesday’s plenary of the House.
The Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Arthur Akpowowo in the motion at the plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt Hon Emomotimi Guwor, said the call became necessary in order to forestall possible breakdown of law and order in the State.
The Deputy Speaker, in the motion, sought the urgent intervention of the State Governor, through the office of the Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr. Wale Abass in addressing the ugly development before it degenerates into serious chaos.
Speaking extensively on the motion, Akpowowo explained that residents in Abraka community in Ethiope East Local Government now dread accessing their farms following the activities of herders who either rape, harass and or kill the farmers.
The situation, the Deputy Speaker maintained, was already impacting negatively on the economic lives of the people, adding that the resultant effect of shortage of farm produce is one of the reasons for the astronomical rise in the prices of agricultural produce in the society.
Akpowowo stated that relative peace, law and order are being threatened by the ugly development as the youths in the area are already calling for reprisal.
The Deputy Speaker emphasized that to forestall the possible reprisal, there was an urgent need for the Governor, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wale Abass and other security agencies to act fast.
“The issue of herdsmen harassing, maiming, raping and killing farmers in Delta State is indeed worrisome.
“Also worrisome is the fact that when people are being denied access to their farms, there is bound to be hunger in the land. Therefore, there is the urgent need for government to make concerted effort in containing this ugly trend”, Akpowowo stated.
In their contributions, some of the lawmakers including; Charles Emetulu, Ndokwa West, Spencer Ohwofa, Ughelli North 11, Oboro Preyor, Bomadi, Bridget Anyafulu, Oshimili South and Matthew Omonde, Ughelli North 1, said the resolution of the House was in line with constitutional provisions of the federal republic of Nigeria.
The lawmakers added that government must act fast in order to save the State from imminent danger being perpetuated by herdsmen.
They particularly asked the executive to ensure the enforcement of the open grazing law as passed by the Delta State House of Assembly.
Describing the motion as apt and timely, the lawmakers were unanimous in their submission that until something urgent was done, the State would soon begin to suffer an acute shortage of agricultural produce as according to them, farmers now dread going to farm as a result of the activities of herdsmen.
The motion which is the first motion passed under matters of urgent public importance by the 8th Assembly was unanimously adopted by the House following a voice vote called by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Guwor.
The Speaker who expressed concern over the ugly narratives, said the resolution of the House would be communicated accordingly to the appropriate quarters.
