"We don't have Ijaw fishermen settlements in the North, so therefore no land for Ruga in my State, Bayelsa" - Gov. Dickson Tells FG

BAYELSA State government has said Bayelsa land is strictly for development purposes and not for Rural Grazing Area, RUGA.

Governor Seriake Dickson who said that the policy of RUGA settlement was inimical to national unity and cohesion described it as provocative, divisive and unhelpful.

He said that Bayelsa under his leadership would not give out any inch of its territory for the establishment of any such RUGA settlement as proposed by the Federal Government.

He said, “I said it some days ago and I’m saying it again that Bayelsa will not be part of RUGA. That is a most provocative, divisive and unhelpful policy. We call for the immediate cancellation of that policy.

“Under me as leader of this state, Bayelsa will not have even an inch of land available for any RUGA settlement. It will not be allowed and will be challenged.

“People should be encouraged to go into ranching as a business and not be moving around causing problems and mayhem. That’s what we will support, not RUGA settlements. Do we have Ijaw fishermen settlements in other states?”