Ruga: Show proof of gazetted land in Benue, Ortom challenges FG

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State on Monday challenged the
Federal Government to show proof of gazetted land in the state.

Ortom said this in a statement issued by his Chief Press
Secretary, Terver Akase.

The governor was reacting to an earlier statement by Senior
Special Assistant to the president on Media and Publicity, Garba
Shehu.
Shehu had said that the Federal Government had gazetted lands in
all the states of the federation.

But the governor said that there has never been any land for
grazing reserve nor grazing route in the state.

Part of the statement read, “We wish to make it clear that no
land in Benue State has been gazetted for grazing routes, grazing
reserves, cattle colonies and Ruga settlements, contrary to the
Presidency’s claim.

“We expect the Federal Government to publicly tender documents
of the claimed gazetted lands in Benue State to put the matter to
rest.

“The Federal Government should show titles to the lands it
claims to have in Benue State, the evidence of compensation it paid
to owners of such lands, as well as the purpose for which the lands
were acquired.

“The Benue State Government has already made known its stand on
the Ruga settlements matter that the state will not be part of the
project.

“This was why the government and people of the state rejected
the attempt to impose the Ruga settlements projects on them without
the consent and approval of the Governor who controls and
administers all lands in the state in trust for the people.”

The governor restated his stand that there was a law in the
State which encourages ranching and prohibits open grazing of
livestock.

“The law is a win-win for herders and farmers, as it protects
all. Anyone who intends to establish a livestock ranch in Benue
State is encouraged to follow the procedure stipulated by the Open
Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law 2017,” Ortom
said.

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