FG begins Ruga settlements in Taraba, Adamawa, Plateau, Kaduna, others
Published


June 29, 2019
Friday Olokor, Eniola Akinkuotu, Okechukwu Nnodim, John Charles and Enyioha Opara

Despite the harsh criticism of the planned establishment of Ruga settlements across the country, the Federal Government is set to commence the pilot phase of the project in Taraba, Adamawa, Plateau, Kaduna and seven other states, Saturday PUNCH’s investigations have confirmed.

It was learnt in Abuja on Friday that the execution of the project would start in 11 states including Sokoto, Nasarawa, Kogi, Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara and Niger.


Documents seen by one of our correspondents at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development showed that all was set for the implementation of the initiative.

According to senior officials of the ministry, the Federal Government is determined to go ahead with the project, notwithstanding the public outcry, particularly in the South.

“The pilot states for its implementation are Sokoto, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Kogi, Taraba, Katsina, Plateau, Kebbi, Zamfara and Niger. They are actually 11 in number and the governors of these states are coming to the ministry to learn how the Ruga settlements will be implemented,” a senior official at the FMARD, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.


The source added, “These are the states that have fully shown their interest. But unfortunately, people are talking about this as if the Federal Government is planning to grab land in the states. That’s not true. The plan is mainly for these states that are ready and the Federal Government had a discussion with the governors concerned.

“Some of the governors came here and they promised to provide land because they have seen the benefits they will derive from the initiative. It is not that the Federal Government wants to invade the states, no!”


When asked whether the government would go ahead with the initiative despite its rejection by many other states, the official replied, “Why not? Of course, the government will go ahead with the programme, particularly in states that are willing to have it. For states that are not interested, no problem.”

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On Tuesday, the Permanent Secretary, FMARD, Mohammed Umar, said aside from the states where the pilot phase of the programme would start, many other states had expressed their interest in the scheme.


The project is said to be part of the solution to the incessant clashes between farmers and herders.

Umar had said, “The Ruga settlement will attract a lot of investment to Nigeria and it is our belief that in the next five years, each Ruga settlement will provide nothing less than 2,000 employment opportunities. We are collaborating with the cattle breeders associations in Nigeria.”

READ ALSO: We’re to restore law and order, not rid Apapa of trucks –Opeifa


On May 21, 2019, the immediate past Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, had announced that Buhari approved the Ruga settlement initiative earlier in the same month.

Osinbajo, Miyetti Allah differ on Ruga settlement project execution

Meanwhile, the Office of the Vice-President and Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria on Friday disagreed over the implementation of the controversial Ruga settlement initiative.

While MACBAN’s General Secretary, Baba Ngelzarma, claimed on Sunrise Daily, a programme on Channels Television, on Friday that Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo’s office was helping Fulani herdsmen to create Ruga settlements across the country, Laolu Akande, media aide to Osinbajo, denied the claim.



Ngelzerma had told Channels Television that the Ruga settlement model was a component part of the livestock development and transformation plan being implemented under the Office of the Vice-President.

He said, “All must agree with me that the crisis we are facing today has become a multi-dimensional one. So, the approach must also be holistic. It was the desire of the Federal Government to take a holistic approach that gave birth to the Ruga settlement model and it is not only Fulani who are herders.



“In Southern Kaduna, there are natives who are also herders. Even in Plateau, there are groups that are herders. It was intended for the herders as part of the effort by the government to come up with an economic model of resolving this crisis.

“This is an integrated settlement that will bring about the production of pasture grasses, water, schools, markets, meat and milk processing, and where it can create a sub-sector of the economy. This is something that if done properly, will create a lot of jobs.”



When asked if it was right for the government to spend taxpayers’ money on what would benefit herders alone, Ngelzerma argued that crop farmers had similarly benefitted in the past.

However, in a swift reaction, the Office of the Vice-President denied being in charge of the implementation of the Ruga settlement initiative.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Vice-President on Media and Publicity, Mr Laolu Akande, said in a tweet on Friday that the programme being handled by Osinbajo was different from the one being referred to by Miyetti Allah.




https://punchng.com/fg-begins-ruga-settlements-in-taraba-adamawa-plateau-kaduna-others/

Muhammadu Buhari !!!!!

Sire you don’t have business with this

It should be private sector driven

It’s not a solution

It will create more bloodshed

If the report is true

I love you so much

I swear with every fiber in my body

I will be your worst antagonist

I rest my case for now until it is confirmed

Let them start in North first . let us see the outcomes before introducing to Southern states

Whatever they are planning to do, let them do it there in North and West.

I really do not care!

When asked if it was right for the government to spend taxpayers’ money on what would benefit herders alone, Ngelzerma argued that crop farmers had similarly benefitted in the past.

My issue with the plan is it's never disclosed how much the end users will pay for these services. In America the government charges a lease and fees to graze on federal land. What is Nigeria getting? Its pure crony capitalism.

We have other market solutions that can be implemented like ending ban on beef and pork imports. The Southern and North central politicians aren't interested in market solutions. We should be lobbying our representatives and have them look into implementing an improved version on Bureau of land management policy in United states. It should be fiscally sustainable and net tax revenue. Second it should be explicitly clear any Nigerians can use facilities.

Permits and leases generally cover a 10-year period and are renewable if the BLM determines that the terms and conditions of the expiring permit or lease are being met.

In Fiscal Year 2015, the BLM was allocated $79 million for its rangeland management program.  Of that figure, the agency spent $36.2 million, or 46 percent, on livestock grazing administration.  The other funds covered such activities as weed management, rangeland monitoring, planning, water development, vegetation restoration, and habitat improvement.  In 2015, the BLM collected $14.5 million in grazing fees.  The receipts from these annual fees, in accordance with legislative requirements, are shared with state and local governments.

helinues:
Let them start in North first as let us see the outcomes before introducing to Southern states

The truth is that they really want to take over Taraba economically and politically

They have succeeded economically

Politically still struggling

It won’t spell well

Seriously

Taraba is a Christian dominated state in percentages

I don’t like playing religious cards

But the truth Be told

Let’s respect people culture and way of living

Who are those advising Muhammadu Buhari?

It seems something is not right somewhere

The poster above me is beginning to see clearly. Nobody hates PMB but his hidden motives that are not hidden. Why must Ruga settlements start from majorly Christians dominated states and areas?
This is not going to last and definitely not going to end well.

sarrki:


The truth is that they really want to take over Taraba economically and politically

They have succeeded economically

Politically still struggling

It won’t spell well

Seriously

Taraba is a Christian dominated state in percentages

I don’t like playing religious cards

But the truth Be told

Let’s respect people culture and way of living

Who are those advising Muhammadu Buhari?

It seems something is not right somewhere

Who are they?

helinues:


Who are they?

In clear terms

Boko haram agenda

I can say it’s northern power drunker driven

What buhari has ever cared for since he took power were his fulani and their cows. Useless president.

 “Why not? Of course, the government will go ahead with the programme, particularly in states that are willing to have it. For states that are not interested, no problem.”

I dont think people care too much about states partnering with federal governments. The governor of each state can easily reject initiatives and have alot of power under land use act. Its the fiscal and economic aspect that is one issue. The other is obviously religion and demographic change. I believe legislation is required outlining this.

sarrki:


In clear terms

Boko haram agenda

I can say it’s northern power drunker driven

Is it same Boko haram that are killing in Mali?

Greedy politicians/elders are behind the attacks. Let FG established Ruga in North first and see how it goes..

helinues:


Is it same Boko haram that are killing in Mali?

Greedy politicians/elders are behind the attacks. Let FG established Ruga in North first and see how it goes..

Brother I lived 3 decades plus of my life in the north

I was born and brought up in the north

I mingle with the high and mighty in the north

They know me very well

Ask around even on this forum

Who is sarrki among the northern oligarchy

I can bet you there is more to that you just said

I am a die hard Buhari

On this I will never agree to it

Like I said

I rest my case until it’s confirmed

sarrki:


The truth is that they really want to take over Taraba economically and politically

They have succeeded economically

Politically still struggling

It won’t spell well

Seriously

Taraba is a Christian dominated state in percentages

I don’t like playing religious cards

But the truth Be told

Let’s respect people culture and way of living

Who are those advising Muhammadu Buhari?

It seems something is not right somewhere

Mr wailler stop this your rant.... Buhari knows what he is doing


Sarrki see this one o,trying to castigate our president.....


Ipob yoot

Risky decision.. We should read history about Ilorin.

sarrki:
If the report is true

I love you so much

I swear with every fiber in my body

I will be your worst antagonist

I rest my case for now until it is confirmed

Go back and read the story.
Read slowly

sarrki:
If the report is true

I love you so much

I swear with every fiber in my body

I will be your worst antagonist

I rest my case for now until it is confirmed

Good morning...

Sarrki, Nigeria will disintegrate under Buhari.

Sarrki, don't be surprised if Buhari amends the constitution in order to stay longer in power so as to achieve his Fulanization agenda.

Buhari do not mean well for Nigerians but for his fellow Fulani people.

Where you will know that this RUGA is purely a Fulanis expansionism and islamization program is that you will notice how core northern states have been left out of the RUGA program deliberately , even states like Kano state that offered the endless Falgore Forest to the herdsmens where left and Buhari even left out his own Katsina state .

Good. This will help keep the Herbsmen in one place and reduce the clashes with farmers.

Once that is done, it will be easier to deal with the criminal elements who perpetuate crime under the guise of herders.

Mynd44:


Go back and read the story.
Read slowly

Mynd44

I know what is brewing underground

I am not speculating

I have a farm there in Taraba

I am speaking on first hand information