Farmers/Herders Crisis: Presidency Denies Forced Ruga Settlements
BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – Amidst steaming controversies over the planned Ruga settlements across the country, the Presidency on Sunday denied forcing its proposal on any of the 36 States of the Federation.
It maintains that the proposed settlements only aim at resolving the worrying farmers/herders conflicts nationwide.
Opposition to the Ruga settlements in parts of the country has continued to grow in the public domain, but the Presidency insists the Federal Government is sincere in its intention of finding lasting solutions to the existing conflicts and other security challenges in the country.
The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President, Mallam Garba Shehu; also frowned at what the Presidency described as “recent unhelpful comments regarding the plan to stop roaming of cattle herders with the attendant clashes with farmers.”
According to a statement issued in Abuja, Garba explained that the; “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.”
He said when in full operations, beneficiaries of the settlements will include all stakeholders currently involved in the business of animal husbandry, and not only Fulani herders.
The Presidential aide said the Federal Government is backing the Ruga settlements as part of efforts to check open grazing of animals that continue to pose security threats to farmers and herders across the country.
“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”, Garba said
The Presidential spokesman further stated that; “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.”
Garba said State governments are being encouraged to partner with the Federal Government in the task of finding a peaceful resolution to the farmers/herders clashes, adding; “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.”
