Rivers State Government has stated that it will not participate in the Federal Government’s Ruga Settlements for herdsmen.
The Rivers State Government in a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Paulinus Nsirim noted that the state has no land for the implementation of such a policy.
It noted that second term of His Excellency, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, Governor Wike has prioritised commercial agriculture, hence all available arable land in the state will be needed to drive commercial agriculture across the state to create employment for Rivers youths.
The State Government emphasised that it has not given any approval for the siting of Ruga settlements anywhere in Rivers State. It added that no such approval will come from the Rivers State Government for the Ruga settlements.
The Statement reiterated that Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike will continue to defend the interest of Rivers people, who have overwhelmingly rejected Cattle Colonies, Ruga Settlements and any such policy.
Rivers indigenes are hereby advised to join the State Government to protect all arable lands by reporting any form of encroachment under whatever guise.
Simeon Nwakaudu,
Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media.
2nd July, 2019.
