***Says he has already reserved over 200,000 hectares of land to implement the scheme
***Says his administration will go ahead to implement the Ruga initiative
***Worries that suspension of the scheme may be inimical to the people
By Jennifer Y Omiloli
The governor of Gombe state, Inuwa Yahaya, has said his administration will go ahead to implement the Ruga settlement scheme initiative by the federal government.
“President Buhari’s intention on the Ruga settlement scheme is laudable and the people of Gombe, who are predominantly Fulanis will definitely key into it.
“As I speak to you now, Gombe state government has set aside over 200,000 hectare of land for the implementation of the Ruga Settlement scheme in the state. So, because some states rejected the scheme doesn’t mean that Gombe state will not go ahead to implement it.
“Up till now, I don’t want to believe that the pilot scheme has been suspended. We are going to continue with it, because to us it’s a very good initiative in view of the hardship our people (herdsmen) are now facing. We need to find a lasting solution to their predicaments so as to save their lives because they are Nigerians too.
Read more:Ruga Ultimatum: We Will Hold Northern Governors Responsible – Ohanaeze
“So, I don’t want to believe that the president has suspended the scheme – this is worrisome and may be inimical to our people,’’ The governor stated this after a closed meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Friday, July 5.
The governor reiterated the determination of the state government to partner with the Buhari administration for speedy transformation of the state.
‘Ruga Settlement’ is a country settlement where animal ranchers/herders remain in a designed spot provided with essential amenities, for example, schools, medical clinics, street systems, vet centers, markets among others. Be that as it may, the activity has inspired contention across the nation.
Read also: There would be no Ruga settlement in Taraba says Gov Ishaku
Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi announced on Wednesday, July 3, that the president has suspended the `Ruga Settlement’ programme initiated by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in preference for the National Economic Council (NEC)’s National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) after a meeting of the NEC Committee of Farmers/Herders Crisis chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Umahi said that the NLTP would be all inclusive, adding that it was for states that were willing to key into the programme.
