The Presidency has just issued a statement to address what it
describes as the ‘recent unhelpful comments regarding the plan to stop
roaming of cattle herders with the attendant clashes with farmers’.
According to Garba Shehu, “Ruga Settlement” that seeks to settle
migrant pastoral families simply means 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.
Beneficiaries will include all persons in animal husbandry, not only
Fulani herders. The Federal Government is planning this in order to curb
open grazing of animals that continue to pose security threats to
farmers and herders.The overall benefit to the nation includes a drastic reduction in
conflicts between herders and farmers, a boost in animal protection
complete with a value chain that will increase the quality and hygiene
of livestock in terms of beef and milk production, increased quality of
feeding and access to animal care and private sector participation in
commercial pasture production by way of investments.Other gains are job creation, access to credit facilities, security for pastoral families and curtailment of cattle rustling.
Stripped of the politics and howling that has attended the recent
comments, there is no government plan to seize state land, colonize
territory or impose Ruga on any part of the federation. Government has
made it clear time and again that the programme is voluntary.So far, twelve states have applied to the Federal Ministry of
Agriculture, making lands available for the take-off of the scheme in
their states. This number is sufficient for the pilot scheme.Unfortunately, some state governments that have not signified interest
in the scheme and, therefore, are not on the invitation list have been
misleading people that the Federal Government is embarking on a scheme
to take away their lands.Mostly, these are state leaders that have no explanation to offer
their people for continued non-payment of workers’ salaries. It is true
that government at the centre has gazetted lands in all states of the
federation but because the idea is not to force this programme on
anyone, the government has limited the take-off to the dozen states with
valid requests.We urge states to join the Federal Government at the centre in
encouraging all sides to these conflicts to make efforts towards finding
a peaceful resolution. As we seek a permanent solution to these
unwanted conflicts, efforts must be made to ensure that no innocent
person faces any kind of deprivation or loss of right and freedom under
our laws.