Ekiti lawmakers mourn drowned World Bank officials, pass grazing bill

Members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly have commiserated with the Federal Government and the World Bank over the death of four officials of the World Bank who drowned at Egbe Dam in the state on Wednesday.
According to a statement by the Speaker’s Special Assistant (Media), Stephen Gbadamosi, the House, at its plenary on Thursday, observed a one-minute silence in honour of the members of the World Bank assessment team on assignment at Egbe Dam in Egbe Ekiti, Gbonyin Local Government Area of the state.
The House also passed into law A Bill for A Law To regulate and Control Cattle and Other Ruminants Grazing in Ekiti State and Other Matters Connected Therewith, 2016, after the Chairman, Joint Committee on Agriculture and Environment, Ayodele Fajemilehin, submitted the committee’s report on the floor of the House.
The deceased Egbe Dam team members, it was reported, came from Development Dams and Irrigation Scheme in Kaduna State to carry out an assessment of the dam for turnaround maintenance.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Kola Oluwawole, responding to the observation made by the House Committee Chairman on Information, Chief Olugboyega Aribisogan, calling the House’s attention to the tragedy, described the development as saddening and unfortunate.
Oluwawole said: “It is a sad development.
“We have to express our condolences to the Federal Government and the World Bank.
“It is unfortunate that they died in active service and on our soil.
“I implore the House to let us stand and observe a minute silence in honour of the departed officials.”
Speaking on the grazing bill, Pastor Oluwawole said it would go a long way in curbing undesirable activities of herdsmen in the state.
He added: “It will promote a kind of cordial relationship between the cattle rearers and the people of the state, particularly the farmers.
“It will also put paid to Fulani herdsmen carrying arms and ammunition in the state, stopping the development that has prevented our people from sleeping with their two eyes closed.”