Edo govt rejects Ruga initiative – TheNigerialawyer

The Edo State Government has rejected the planned Reserved Urban
Grazing Area (RUGA) initiative by the federal government aimed at
settling herders in parts of the country.

The state said it has ”an elaborate plan for agricultural
development across all its value chain both in crop production and
animal husbandry”.

This was contained in a statement by Special Adviser to the
Governor on Media and Communication Strategy, Crusoe Osagie, on
Monday.

The state government insisted that its agricultural plans have
nothing to do with Ruga initiative.

The statement noted: ”In all the agricultural programmes being
executed by the Obaseki administration, the safety, security and
prosperity of our people are the top priority and non-negotiable.
We assure Edo people that Governor Obaseki will not cede their
rights and land to anybody, as our programmes as a sovereign state
do not run on the back of any external entity.”

He advised Edo citizens to disregard any contrary information
circulated by the Edo State Chapter of the People’s Democratic
Party (PDP) or any other group or individual.

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Ruga Settlement Will Provide Basic Amenities for Willing
Host Communities

The Presidency wishes to draw attention to recent unhelpful
comments regarding the plan to stop roaming of cattle herders with
the attendant clashes with farmers.

“Ruga Settlement” that seeks to settle migrant pastoral families
simply means rural settlement in which animal farmers, not just
cattle herders, will be settled in an organized place with
provision of necessary and adequate basic amenities such as
schools, hospitals, road networks, vet clinics, markets and
manufacturing entities that will process and add value to meats and
animal products.

Beneficiaries will include all persons in animal husbandry, not
only Fulani herders.

The Federal Government is planning this in order to curb open
grazing of animals that continue to pose security threats to
farmers and herders.

The overall benefit to the nation includes a drastic reduction
in conflicts between herders and farmers, a boost in animal
protection complete with a value chain that will increase the
quality and hygiene of livestock in terms of beef and milk
production, increased quality of feeding and access to animal care
and private sector participation in commercial pasture production
by way of investments.

Other gains are job creation, access to credit facilities,
security for pastoral families and curtailment of cattle
rustling.

Stripped of the politics and howling that has attended the
recent comments, there is no government plan to seize state land,
colonize territory or impose Ruga on any part of the federation.
Government has made it clear time and again that the programme is
voluntary.

So far, twelve states have applied to the Federal Ministry of
Agriculture, making lands available for the take-off of the scheme
in their states. This number is sufficient for the pilot
scheme.
Unfortunately, some state governments that have not signified
interest in the scheme and, therefore, are not on the invitation
list have been misleading people that the Federal Government is
embarking on a scheme to take away their lands.

Mostly, these are state leaders that have no explanation to
offer their people for continued non-payment of workers’ salaries.
It is true that government at the centre has gazetted lands in all
states of the federation but because the idea is not to force this
programme on anyone, the government has limited the take-off to the
dozen states with valid requests.

We urge states to join the Federal Government at the centre in
encouraging all sides to these conflicts to make efforts towards
finding a peaceful resolution. As we seek a permanent solution to
these unwanted conflicts, efforts must be made to ensure that no
innocent person faces any kind of deprivation or loss of right and
freedom under our laws.

Garba Shehu
Senior Special Assistant to the President
(Media & Publicity)