Zulum allocates land for RUGA, dismisses ISWAP’S occupation claim

BORNO State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has allocated land for Rural Grazing Area ( RUGA) to domesticate the Federal Government’s programme on ranching.

According to him, RUGA is being implemented under the National Livestock Development plan in the state.

In a statement yesterday in Maiduguri, the governor’s spokesman, Isa Gusau, disclosed that his principal visited the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Muhammad Nanono, to domesticate the Federal Government’s programme on ranching.

According to the governor, officials from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture are expected in Maiduguri for assessment to implement RUGA.

In his response, the minister applauded the governor for his foresight and efforts to commence the project.

“I assured you that you will complete the preliminary works to commence RUGA in Borno,” Nanono said.

ZULUM has dismissed the reported appointment of a governor over some territories in Borno by Islamic State of West African Province ( ISWAP), insisting that the claim remains unauthenticated, as he is fully in charge of the state.

In a chat with newsmen yesterday after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the governor declared, however, that his administration was not interested in investigating the issue.

A report had claimed that the terrorists had appointed one Abba Kaka as the governor under a new leadership restructuring by an interim council.