Ruga Settlement Scheme is not Imposed on States – Lalong

By Jide Afolabi, Jos

The governor of Plateau state, Rt Hon Simon Bako Lalong has said that the controversial Ruga settlement scheme introduced by the Federal government was not imposed on any state, rather, the pilot states applied for it.

Lalong made the disclosure while addressing the media after his meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja on Monday noting that people should stop politicising the scheme.

He said, “I am a member of the Food Security Council and also Herdsmen Farmers Committee. The cattle business is not a prerogative of any tribe.”

He stated further that, “the Federal government is not imposing Ruga Settlement Scheme on any state but the states applied for it. For instance, work has begun in Niger state.”

He emphasised that the scheme would create job opportunities for the people especially, youths. “Currently, youths and retired Permanent Secretaries are being trained on the scheme” he stated.

The governor said that the scheme would benefit states that subscribe to it noting that such states would receive support from the Federal government for its take off.

He stated further that one of the major aims of the scheme was to deal with the problems of the farmer-herder conflicts.

The Ruga Settlement scheme being introduced by the Federal government has received harsh criticisms and rejections by many tribes in the nation noting that the scheme was projected to grab land from the indigenous landowners and donate to the Fulani herdsmen.