Motive For Creating Ruga Settlements-Presidency

Following the widespread criticisms that has trailed the establishment of Ruga settlement for cattle herders in some part of the country, the presidency has explained the motive behind the decision.

According to the Presidency, the aim of establising the Ruga settlement is to put a stop to the recurrent clashes between farmers and herdsmen.

According to the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, there is no plans to annex any state owned land for the project. Shehu also said that states were at liberty to key in voluntarily, adding that the attention of government had been drawn to recent unhelpful comments regarding the plan to stop roaming of cattle herders with the attendant clashes with farmers.

Furthermore, he said the “Ruga Settlement” that seeks to settle migrant pastoral families could be likened to a rural settlement in which animal farmers, not just cattle herders, will be settled in an organized place with provision of necessary and adequate basic amenities such as schools, hospitals, road networks, vet clinics, markets and manufacturing entities that will process and add value to meats and animal products.

This will be accessible by all persons in animal husbandry, and not only Fulani herders, Shehu said.