Says, “Ranch is not RUGA”
by Osita Chinedu
The Government of Enugu State has stepped out to deny the news making the rounds that she plans to establish RUGA settlements across the state but claimed however that she intends to set up modern ranches as a part of her agro-industrial agenda through which the state’s dormant assets could be converted to productive assets and equally checkmate the activities of kidnappers and other forms of criminals hiding under the status of herders.
This was made known on Saturday by the State Commissioner for Information Mr. Aka Eze Aka, who described the news and purported protest of some individuals against the plan of the government to cede some parts of the state to the Fulanis for RUGA settlement in Nimbo, Uzo-Uwani LGA as false and misrepresentation of facts being propagated by manipulators who only want to run the government down for their selfish political attention and relevance.
In a statement signed by the Commissioner, he said, “The attention of government has been drawn to insinuations and utter misrepresentation by some individuals of the good initiative of government to use ranch to further stem the tide of kidnapping and clashes between our border people and the herders.
“Enugu State Government is not engaging in any RUGA project in any part of the state and shall not do so. RANCH IS NOT RUGA.
“It has become necessary to explain matters regarding the design to use ranching, a modern method all over the world, to rear cattle. The recent viral messages and outcry of a few persons against what they construed as government intention to take over a portion of land in Uzo-Uwani LGA and give out to Fulanis in the guise of RUGA is but the unfortunate machination of those who wished to make a mountain out of mole hill for political reasons.
“The intention of government is clear on the matter. Armed bandits and kidnappers in the name of herders have for long taken advantage of our forests and farmland to commit heinous crimes, abduction, rape and killings.
“The government of Enugu State has resolved to put a stop to these and introduce ranching, the most modern way of rearing cattle.
“Recall that one of the outcomes of the attempts to introduce RUGA establishments in Nigeria was the suggestion to establish controlled ranching as practiced the world over. When established, no cattle herder or dealer shall be allowed to roam non-designated areas with their animals for grazing.
“The state government, therefore, is resolved to strictly implement the laws against open grazing in any part of the state.
“As a result, specific areas designated for grazing shall be created, managed and held in trust by the government. It is the idea of government to build modern abattoir around each ranch from where all processing of meat etc., are to take place before sale to other parts of the state.
“Consequently, all cattle movement transported from the northern part of the country stops at the ranch for proper inspection and revenue build up.
“Government cannot allow fabulists and political manipulators to take advantage of social media to work the people to frenzy against government programmes and projects.
“Our people are, therefore, called upon to closely understand the good intentions of government and know that Ranch is not RUGA.”
Reacting to the news however, a cross section of Ndi Enugu has lent their voices to the plans of the government and feared that it was a subtle move by the cattle herders to creep in and dominate.
One Mr. Davidson referred to the recurrent crises in Plateau state and wrote, “…This is exactly the way the Fulanis settled in Jos North LGA decades ago and today, they are slaughtering the indigenous people of Jos claiming the land belongs to them. The government of Enugu state is embarking on a dangerous enterprise that succeeding generations would bear the brunt…”
He went on to attest that the 9th National Assembly had once struck out the motion requesting the establishment of RUGA settlements or ranching in whatever guise across the country and called on the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mba to reject any plan that could lead to bloodshed in the near future.
Another citizen, Mr. Agbo alleged that the government simply wants to hoodwink the good people of Enugu with semantics.
In his words, “Ranching is RUGA. Ranching means confinement to one place. RUGA also means confinement to one place with facilities like water and schools, hospital and social services…I was taught by the best. I was taught by the best sir.” He further entreated the governor to cancel out the idea completely and direct such plans towards the north, when he opined, “Don’t cure headache and drop cancer. North has expansive lands. There are places in the north, ungoverned areas as big as Enugu State.”
