Chairman of Anambra Industrial Cluster, Awada-Obosi in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Chief Johnson Okolo, has expressed his opposition to the proposed plan by Federal Government to establish Ruga, a policy of government aimed at reducing herder-farmer clashes introduced by the Muhammadu Buhari administration, in the South-East.
Okolo, in an interview with South-East PUNCH correspondent in Onitsha, on Tuesday, said any state governor in the South-East planning to establish ruga in the region, especially in Enugu State, should cancel such plans because such will fuel insecurity in the region.
He said ruga encourages herdsmen attack and anywhere such is located, the host community is in danger.
He said, “I am a victim of herdsmen attacks. They used their cattle to destroy 6,000 palm trees, 300 oranges and 300 cashew trees which I planted on my farm at Amofia Afa in Udi Local Government Area in terms of what they called ranching.
“I have said it time without number, what is the interest of the Federal Government in the business of ruga or ranch. It is not Enugu State people or South-East people that own ranch or ruga.
“Why will the Federal Government want to buy land where they will do cattle rearing for some people?
“So, any state government buying land for ruga or ranch, the beneficiaries will see it as their land and it will definitely cause problem. So, they are trying to solve problems with troubles.
“By the time they are provided with land, they will take it as their land. Today, they don’t have land they call their own in the South East. So, don’t provide land for them. We are totally against it. Let’s face insecurity and remove their guns.
“Who owns the land on which they are doing ranching? You want to take up somebody’s land in the name of government and settle some people to do their personal business there.
“We can manage cows by ourselves. Enugu State or whatever government, should go and buy cows for their indigenes and set ranching for them. Don’t give another person’s land to another person. Why not go and establish it in their village first.”
He equally insisted that if they succeed in giving land, they will use it as a base and opportunity for festering insecurity.
He added, “Let these people who are planning this ruga ask Southern Kaduna, Benue and Jos what they are passing through in the hands of herdsmen. Do they want us to be internally displaced persons in our own land like Southern Kaduna, Benue, Jos amongst others?”
