Ruga settlement: Rivers Govt rejects implementation of policy

Amaka Agbu, Port Harcourt

The Rivers State Government has stated that it would not participate in the Federal Government’s Ruga Settlements for herdsmen.

A statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Mr. Paulinus Nsirim, noted that the state had no land for the implementation of such a policy.

The statement noted that the second term of Governor Nyesom Wike, has prioritised commercial agriculture, hence all available arable land in the state would be needed to drive commercial agriculture across the state to create employment for Rivers youths.

The State Government emphasised that it had not given any approval for the establishment of Ruga settlements anywhere in Rivers State, adding that no such approval would come from the Rivers State Government for the Ruga settlements.

The Statement reiterated that Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike would continue to defend the interest of Rivers people, who had overwhelmingly rejected Cattle Colonies, Ruga Settlements, and any such policy.

The government then advised Rivers indigenes to join the state government to protect all arable lands by reporting any form of encroachment under whatever guise.