Gov. Umahi Speaks On Establishing Ruga Settlements In South-East, South-South

The Chairman of the South-East Governors Forum, Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State has rejected reports of plans to establish Ruga settlement in parts of the South-East and South-South zones.

In a statement by Emma Uzor, his Chief Press Secretary, the governor who admitted proposing a deal with the members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN) to end farmers-herdsmen clash, denied any plans by governors in the zones to cede any part of their land for Ruga settlement.

According to Umahi, “There is no plan for any Ruga settlement in any part of south-east and south-south zones, but we made a proposed deal with MACBAN that can allow the zone to become very good business with sale of grasses to the herdsmen in exchange for meat.

“There will be no part of the south-east that will be given out for the purpose of establishment of Ruga, the zone is purely agrarian with limited landmass for farming and therefore can not accommodate Ruga establishment.

“We actually proposed a deal with MACBAN to take their cattle to the northern parts where grazing reserves were established long time ago and rely completely on the grasses grown in the south for feeding of their cattle,” he said.