Ruga Settlement: Presidency Summons Ministry Of Agric Perm Sec

Presidency Reacts To Statement On Ruga Settlement

The Presidency has taken fresh actions after the loads of criticisms that greeted the announcement of plans by the federal government to implement a cattle settlement policy, tagged Ruga settlement.

The presidency on Thursday summoned the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammadu Umar, Naija News understands.

It is understood that the permanent secretary was summoned to explain his categorical statement to the media on the implementation of the settlement as his revelation is believed to be unauthorized.

Recall Umar had on Monday, told journalists that the federal government had commenced the implementation of the pilot stage of the policy in 12 states. He added that it was part of the government’s plan to curb the endemic clashes between farmers and herdsmen.

His pronouncement attracted bashings from the government of Benue State, other affected state governors, socio-political groups such as Afenifere, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and the Middle-Belt Forum who have all insisted that they will resist the implementation of the policy in their regions.

Ministry sources told THISDAY that the permanent secretary might have spoken too soon as the federal government had not concluded consultations with the pilot states, most of them still resistant to the policy.

“Obviously, the Perm Sec was too forward in his pronouncement. While it is true that the federal government had the policy on the ground, it was still negotiating with some of the states involved and wanted a consensus before proceeding with implementation,” adding: “But with the serious resistance from most of the pilot states, it is not impossible for the federal government to abandon the policy.”

According to him, already, the government has commenced the establishment of “Ruga Settlements” in 12 pilot states for the benefits of cattle rearers.

He said: “It is a concept that we developed to deal with internal security and we felt that to do away with herders and farmers’ conflict, we need to settle those that breed animals.

“We want to get them a place whereby we develop a settlement for them, we provide water for their animals, we provide pasture, we provide schools for their children; we provide security, agro-rangers.

“We also felt we need to develop cattle markets whereby you don’t need to be transporting animals for a very long distance.

“Under the new plan, cattle herders are expected to be registered and recognised with cooperatives for the purpose of the ranching scheme.

“These cooperatives will then be able to get rental agreements for land from state governments and also benefit from ranch resources on several terms including loans, grants, and subsidies.

“The Ruga settlement is one of the very important things not only in Nigeria but most of the countries in the Sub-Saharan.”