As Nigerians continue to condemn the planned establishment of ‘RUGA’ , literally translated as “ Fulani settlements” across the country by the federal government, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has refuted claims that he is Supervising the project.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Office of the Vice President, Laolu Akande, said “ contrary to claims reported in sections of the media, the establishment of Ruga settlements is not being supervised by the Office of the Vice President”
Akande said the “Ruga initiative is different from the National Livestock Transformation Plan approved by State governors under the auspices of the National Economic Council (NEC) chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo,
The National Economic Council NEC, had according to him, on January 17, 2019, approved the plan based on the recommendations of a Technical Committee of the Council chaired by Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State. Other State Governors on the committee and Working Group of NEC are those from Adamawa, Kaduna, Benue, Taraba, Edo, Plateau, Oyo & Zamfara – mostly the frontline States in the Farmer-Herder crises.
“The National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) 2019-2028 is a programme to be implemented in 7 pilot states of Adamawa, Benue, Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, Taraba and Zamfara (as decided by NEC in January), being States in the frontlines of the Farmer-Herder crises. Afterwards, six other States have indicated readiness to also implement the plan. They are Katsina, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Ondo, and Edo states.
“The plan has six pillars through which it aims to transform the livestock production system in Nigeria along market oriented value chain while ensuring an atmosphere of peace and justice.
He explained further that the six key pillars include, economic investment, conflict resolution, justice and peace, humanitarian relief and early recovery, human capital development and cross-cutting issues such as gender, youth, research and information and strategic communication.
“In all the Federal Government will not impose on any State government regarding its land” he said.
Federal government, according to recent reports, had awarded contracts for the creation of the Ruga settlements for herdsmen , beginning with a pilot plan in the selected states.
Tony Ailemen, Abuja
