Richmond C. Amadi is an independent journalist, Book Publisher, member of RSU Alumni, Researcher (currently researching with Researchgate.net), Writer, Motivational Speaker. He is a BSc Holder in Office and Information Management, and Diploma holder in Management all from Rivers State University. Currently doing his MSc with RSU. Contact him on Richmond.amadi@ust.edu.ng or Amadirichmondc@gmail.com All Social Platforms: @amadirichmondc
Emerged report has revealed that the Federal Government has planned to spend N12.11bn for the establishment of eight Ruga settlements in each of the eleven frontline states in the federation, including Zamfara, Plateau Adamawa, Benue, Kebbi, Kaduna, Katsina, Nasarawa, Niger, Taraba and , Sokoto.
An investigation conducted by PUNCH retrieved document from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, ‘Intervention for resolving farmers-herders clashes in Nigeria through establishment of Ruga model settlement, revealed that the Federal Executive Council had earlier approved the funds in the 2018 before Ruga scheme suffered setback.
However, the report maintained that a source at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development disclosed that the proposed budget of N12.117bn had been released to enable the Federal Government to end the clashes swiftly through the implementation of the project.
According to reports, Mrs. Senator Ita Enang, the immediate past Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate) to the President, had said earlier that N2.258bn was provided for the implementation of the Ruga programme in the 2019 budget.
Meanwhile, before the 2019 budget for the scheme was unveiled, Lt. Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd), the Ministry of Interior, under the former minister, had proposed that operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps would provide security in each of the 88 Ruga settlements, the source disclosed.
The source said, “The former minister proposed a sum of N1bn to provide security at the Ruga settlements. The money was released to the ministry before the controversies around the project started.” PUNCH reports.
