Buhari's latest plan to solve the recurring herders-farmers'
conflict is a subject of controversy.
The implementation of Rural Grazing Area (RUGA)
settlements, the latest plan by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led
administration to put an end to a recurring conflict between nomadic herders
and farmers, has been met with considerable outrage from Nigerians.
The
Benue State government and several notable Southern and Middle Belt
socio-political groups have completely condemned the plan and called for it to
be scrapped.
Many
have also slammed it as further confirmation of the president's alleged plan to
Islamise the country, an ever-present allegation relentlessly dismissed by the
Federal Government.
From the little the government has made public about the
RUGA plan, here are seven things to know:
1.
Buhari approved the RUGA plan in May
Only a week before Buhari's first term cabinet was
dissolved in May 2019, then Minister of Agriculture and Rural
Development, Audu Ogbeh, disclosed that the president approved
the RUGA plan.
According to a statement released by
the presidency on Sunday, June 30, the implementation of RUGA settlements is to
curb open grazing of animals that continue to pose security threats to farmers
and herders.
The conflict, most notably over land
access and resources, has led to the death of thousands in the past few years,
with herders usually blamed for majority of attacks.
2. The
settlements will house herders and animal farmers
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Umar, announced on Tuesday, June 25 that
the settlements will house nomadic herdsmen who breed animals.
"We felt that to do away with herders-farmers' conflict, we
need to settle our nomads and those who breed animals.
"We want to put them in a place that has been developed as a
settlement, where we provide water for their animals, pasture, schools for their
children, security, agro-rangers, etc," he said.
The presidency disclosed on Sunday that animal farmers,
not just cattle herders, will be settled in RUGA settlements 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.
3. FG
believes RUGA settlements will be of benefit to everyone
Umar
noted that RUGA settlements will put an end to the nomadic lifestyle of
herdsmen, who are usually, but not exclusively, Fulani.
He
said the provision of cattle markets will mark the end of herdsmen having to
transport their herds mostly by foot and avoid conflict with local farming
communities.
He said, "We also felt that we need to develop cattle markets whereby
you don't need to be transporting animals through very long distances.
"We will also bring in investors that will set up modern
centres where cattle breeders can slaughter their animals. When we do that, a
lot of other things will come up.
"We are going to change their lifestyle, take them away from
our streets and from wandering in the bush and develop districts, hamlets and
towns and definitely in the next five to 10 years you will never see a nomad
moving about, wandering or kidnapping. And this will end all these security
challenges."
Umar estimated that each RUGA settlement will provide at
least 2,000 jobs and will be a major attraction for foreign investors.
"The RUGA settlement will attract a lot of investments to
Nigeria and it is our belief that in the next five years, each RUGA settlement
will provide nothing less than 2,000 employment opportunities," he said.
The
presidency also said in its Sunday statement that RUGA settlements will be of
benefit to everyone in animal husbandry and not just Fulani 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," the presidency said.
4. 11
pilot states have shown interest
RUGA settlements have already started springing up with 11
states that have reportedly shown interest designated as pilot states. They
are Sokoto, Adamawa, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Kogi, Taraba, Katsina, Plateau, Kebbi, Zamfara and Niger.
According
to Umar, each state will have at least six locations where nomadic herders will
be settled alongside others interested in rearing animals.
"Already
state and local governments are buying into the initiative. Many states have
indicated interest. They have been coming to the ministry and will like to join
to ensure that we set up RUGA settlements in their states so that their nomads
will have a place. Also, they will have cattle markets and modern abattoirs in
their states," he said.
Benue State had
initially been listed as an interested pilot state, but Governor
Samuel Ortompublicly denounced RUGA settlements after the
Federal Government appeared to ignore its objections and tried to implement the
plan in the state.
5.
RUGA not covered in the National Livestock Transformation Plan
Contrary to how it was initially
claimed in some quarters, the RUGA plan is not part of the National Livestock
Transformation Plan (NLTP).
NLTP is a N179 billion 10-year
initiative (2018-2027) that champions ranching as the way forward for cattle
rearing in the country.
The plan, presented by the National
Economic Council (NEC) in June 2018, recommends that cattle herders are
expected to be registered with cooperatives for the purpose of the ranching
scheme.
These cooperatives will then be able
to get rental agreements for land from state governments and also benefit from
ranch resources on several terms including loans, grants, and subsidies.
The funding of the plan from the federal government and
state governments is expected to last for the first three years in the pilot
phase for a total of N70 billion while private sector interests and investments
between the third and tenth year is expected to be in excess of N100 billion.
In response to the outrage caused by the RUGA settlements,
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who chairs NEC, has publicly
dismissed claims that the plan is associated with NLTP.
"On the National Livestock Transformation Plan, 13 States are
already in the process of implementation of a plan to transform the livestock
production system in Nigeria along market oriented value chain while ensuring
an atmosphere of peace and justice.
"The States are Adamawa, Benue, Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa,
Taraba, Zamfara, Katsina, Kano, Kogi, Kwara, Ondo, and Edo.
"These States are at different stages in the process, but
have indicated readiness to implement the plan. Truth is: this FG will not
impose on any state government regarding its land,"Osinbajo's spokesperson, Laolu
Akande, said in a statement on Friday, June 28.
6. RUGA plan is quite similar to NLTP
Despite distancing the National Livestock Transformation
Plan from the RUGA settlements initiative, similarities between the two exist
in abundance.
Just
like NLTP, RUGA promotes ranching as the way forward for cattle rearing in the
country.
Umar
also revealed that cattle herders that hope to benefit from RUGA settlements
are expected to be registered with cooperatives for the purpose of the ranching
scheme.
It
is only the cooperatives that will then be able to get rental agreements for
land from state governments and also benefit from ranch resources on several
terms.
These
are similar conditions stipulated under the National Livestock Transformation
Plan.
7. The
Federal Government is "bent" on making RUGA a success
While
speaking last week, Umar noted that the Buhari-led government "is bent on
making the plan work" because of its huge and far-reaching impact on
public safety and national security.
In
its Sunday statement, the presidency urged states to join the Federal
Government 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," the
presidency said.
The
government also called for leaders to not politicise the RUGA initiative,
assuring the public that the Buhari-led administration has no plans to force
settlements on any state even though it has gazetted lands across the federation.
Source: PULSE NG
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