Ohanaeze frowns at Ruga settlements
Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has frowned at Ruga settlements project by the Federal Government.
The President General of Ohanaze, Nnia Nwodo, in a statement made available to journalists in Enugu on Wednesday, said the project was not the best approach to resolving the herdsmen-farmer crisis in the country.
He said it was in view of this that Federal Government attempt to force RUGA settlements on the country has met stiff resistance from some states.
He recalled that the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, was quoted to have said that because of misconceptions and opposition to the scheme, the Federal Government would no longer announce the states that enter into agreement for its establishment in their states, thereby suggesting that some states are secretly entering into an understanding with the Federal Government to establish the RUGA scheme in them.
He said “Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, once more restates its objection to the RUGA scheme in Igboland and urges the South East State Governments to stick to their earlier decision to reject the scheme.”
Ohanaeze Ndigbo also warned traditional rulers, town union presidents, communities and individuals in the South-East to be wary of lures, overtures and mouthwatering offers intended to induce them to part with their land ostensibly for industrial ventures but disguised approaches to obtain land for Ruga settlements.
Ohanaeze further warns that Ndigbo will not forgive any government, community or individual that falls into this trap and will collectively resist any such move.
