FG Douses Tension over Planned Nationwide Farm Estates, Says It Is Not Indirect RUGA | #IgbereTV
The federal government moved swiftly yesterday to douse the tension created by its planned establishment of Integrated Farm Estates in all the 109 Senatorial Districts across the country by the National Land Development Authority (NALDA), declaring that “it is not for the purpose of implementing Rural Grazing Areas (RUGA) and ranches.”
The clarification by government was sequel to the recent alarm raised by the Pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, alleging that the federal government was attempting to bring back the rejected cattle colony and RUGA through the establishment of the farm estates.
Afenifere, in a statement by its spokesman, Jare Ajayi, called for an immediate halt to the programme.
Some other people rejected the plan, claiming that the move was an indirect attempt to acquire land for a section of the country.
Reacting to the allegation in a chat with newsmen in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of NALDA, Paul Ikonne, emphasised that the establishment of the farm estates had nothing to do with RUGA or ranches.
According to the NALDA boss, “the farm estates are not in any way related to both RUGA and cattle ranches,” adding Afenifere’s position “is aimed at misleading the people.”
He said: “The Integrated Farm Estates are what the President mandated us to put in place in all the 109 Senatorial Districts after commissioning that of Daura; meaning he saw the productive nature and the impact that project will make.
