Ortom: We Rejected RUGA in Order to Protect Benue People’s Lives

The Benue State Government stated on Thursday that it rejects the federal government’s plans to establish Cattle Colonies, Rural Grazing Area (RUGA) settlements, and Grazing Reserves, as well as any other plans to secure the lives of the people of the state.

Governor Samuel Ortom, in a press statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Nath Ikyur, reiterated Benue’s position on the matter.

He stated that the state government only agreed to the National Livestock Transformation Programme (NLTP) because the National Economic Council (NEC), which includes the 36 state governors, approved it after a series of engagements and incorporated suggestions from state stakeholders.

The governor stated that under the NLTP, states were free to adopt and implement aspects of the plan that suited their unique circumstances, adding that “unfortunately, the Presidency rejected this but would rather continue to dribble Nigerians.”

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“In Benue State, we have a ranching law, and our competitive advantages in livestock farming include indigenous cattle, piggery, goats, and fisheries, among other things.” All of this is reflected in the plan, and Benue State has agreed to its implementation on these terms.”

Ortom also dismissed as false a statement attributed to a former presidential aide, Laureta Onochie, that he supported the RUGA plan, claiming that the state government was listed as one of the states that applied for federal funds for the purpose of establishing ranches.

“We read in the media that a former presidential aide, Laureta Onochie, tried to spin a false narrative about Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State’s position on the implementation of the National Livestock Transformation Plan” (NLTP).

“Onochie made false allegations, painting the picture that Governor Ortom supports RUGA, because the state government was listed as one of the states that applied for federal funds to establish ranches.”

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“However, it is clear that Onochie is unwilling to change her ways, which is why the Senate unanimously rejected her nomination as a Federal INEC Commissioner.”

Ortom said it was devious for Onochie to drag him into an argument about which she had no knowledge, and that if the former presidential aide “has any modicum of decency remaining in her tainted pedigree, she should rather commend Governor Ortom for insisting on ranching as the win-win solution to herdsmen attacks on farming communities, which has now been embraced by other states and the federal government.”