The National Economic Council (NEC), headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has clarified the issue surrounding the controversial Rural Grazing Area (RUGA), which President Muhammadu Buhari has just suspended.
Speaking to news men today, July 3 shortly after an emergency meeting of the NEC committee on farmers/herders crisis, the Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, said: “Ruga programme was initiated and being implemented by the Federal ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.”
The governor, who spoke on the outcome of the emergency meeting, presided over by Vice President Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, said that the idea of Ruga is not consistent with the approved programme of National Economic Council (NEC) and Federal Government, tagged, “ the National Livestock Transformation Programme.”
“We are aware that today that Mr. President has suspended the implementation of Ruga programme, initiated and being implemented by the Federal ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, because it is not consistent with the NEC and Federal Government approved National Livestock Transformation plan which has programmes of rehabilitation of displaced IDPs, resulting from the crisis and also development of ranches in any willing state of the Federation. The word is willing state of the federation.
“The beauty of the National Livestock Transformation plan as approved by NEC and Federal Government is that it is a voluntary programme to all the 36 states who may like to participate.
“So, it is not compulsory, it is for any state that is willing to key into the programme.
“Any state that is interested in this programme is required to bring up a development plan that is keyed towards the implementation in line with our own programme and based on the challenges that each state has in respect of the crisis. That’s the decision of this committee.”
