A bill seeking to protect donkeys by regulating the slaughter of the animal and organising them in ranches has passed second reading at the senate.
The bill which was sponsored by the Senate Leader, Abdullahi Yahaya, seeks to regulate the slaughtering of donkeys and establish the breeding and ranching of donkeys through the Export Certification Value Chain.
The legislation seeks to declare donkeys as an endangered species which as a result of indiscriminate slaughtering for the purpose of harvesting its skin, has greatly depleted the national herd of the animal.
The bill scaled second reading on Tuesday despite disapproval by Enyinnaya Abaribe, senate minority leader, and Ajibola Basiru, spokesman of the senate and senator representing Osun central.
In his argument, Abaribe warned the Senate against breaking the law for “residual matters” that are the responsibilities of the state or local governments.
“We do not break laws for residual matters that are left for the states and local governments as the case may be,” he said.
“We are to make laws exclusively based on what is determined in the constitution. Livestock and matters of that nature are not expressly provided for in the constitution.”
Basiru supported the minority leader by Kicking against the bill, saying that a matter is desirable, does not mean the senate can legislate on it.
“For record proposes, the fact that a matter is deemed necessary, does not automatically confer on the federal legislative act and legislative competence.
“Section 1(3) is clear. That any law contrary to the provision of the constitution is to the extent of that urgency null and void. The basis of our existence and power is the constitution.
“By section 4(7) any matter not in the concurrent list is a matter for the states. It is beyond whether donkeys are going extinct or not…The fact that a subject matter is listed on the concurrent list, the federal government has the power to make the law. No,” he said.
But the deputy whip of senate, Sabi Abdullahi said the bill is necessary owing to the concern that donkeys in the country may go extinct.
“Every country should be concerned about their flora and fauna and the balance of the ecosystem. In the same constitution, the federal government is given the right to research,” he said.
“This is research work. And this bill is based on that…when you don’t want something to go into extinction. We are talking about conservation management.”
Thereafter, Senate President Ahmad Lawan allowed Yahaya Abdullahi, senate leader and sponsor of the bill, to lead a debate on it.
While leading the debate, the senate leader said the bill is seeking to ensure that donkeys are ranched to preserve them.
After it was passed for second reading, Lawan said the senate is concerned about the extinction of donkeys and how it “affects the ecosystem”.
The senate president referred the bill to the committee on agricultural matters which is expected to report back in two weeks.
