A Bill prohibiting any Nigerian or foreigner from killing or shipping a donkey for commercial purposes has passed second reading yesterday in House of Representatives.

The bill, sponsored Mr Garba Datti Muhammad (APC Kaduna) stipulates 10 years imprisonment for anyone that breaks the proposed law.

Muhammad, while presenting arguments on the bill, said it seeks, among others, to prohibit the killing of donkeys in Nigeria and the exportation of donkeys or its carcasses or derivatives out of Nigeria.

He said this is because of the depletion in numbers and threat of extinction, and their aesthetic, ecological, educational, historical, recreational and scientific value to the nation and the people.

The lawmaker said the Bill also became necessary to preserve the donkeys for use, particularly in rural transportation.

“Recently, the donkey population is severely reduced. The reason ascribed to this development, like in many countries in West African sub-region, is large-scale export to China.

“In China where donkey population has also nose-dived, the demand for donkeys is extremely high because gelatin made from donkey skin is highly prized as nutritional tonic, which nourishes the blood and boosts the immune system.

“Donkey meat is also a delicacy in some Chinese regions, especially in the North of the country.”

The lawmaker said Botswana, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso and Gambia have prohibited the exportation of donkeys. He also said Zimbabwe and Ethiopia have done same.

He said the animal, which costs between N15,000 and N18,000 in Kano for instance, now costs between N70,000 to N75,000.

“Meanwhile, Dong-E E-Jiao, which is China’s donkey market leader, posted pre-tax profits of US $298 million in 2016, ” Muhammad said.

When the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogara, called for a voice vote, it was passed without dissent and referred to House Committee on Agricultural Production and Services for further legislative input.

The Nation