Buhari approves N6.25B for ranching in Katsina, Ortom Kicks

Buhari approves N6.25B for ranching in Katsina, Ortom Kicks

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the sum of N6.25 billion for his home state, Katsina, to kickstart ranching in the country.

 

The Presidency confirmed this on Friday in a statement issued by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media and Publicity).

 

It quoted the governor of the state, Aminu Masari, as expressing confidence that with the release of N5 billion already to the state, the process to begin the construction of ranches in Katsina will soon commence.

Buhari approves N6.25B for ranching in Katsina, Ortom Kicks
Buhari approves N6.25B for ranching in Katsina, Ortom Kicks

According to the statement, Governor Aminu Bello Masari said on Thursday that the approval will lead the way in setting up ranches in the country, while speaking at the commissioning of Zobe Regional Water scheme, which was completed after 29 years of commencement in 1992; the Governor appreciated President Buhari for consistently driving people oriented development projects, with the release of N5 billion to the state to start the ranches.

 

 


He said, “Mr President has graciously approved the sum of N6.25 billion for ranch development purposes in Katsina State. Part out of this amount, N5 billion is already in the account of the state government and within few weeks you will see advertisement calling for interested companies and consultants that will participate in construction.”

 

Governor Masari noted that the Federal Government had been focused in meeting the needs of the grassroots, explaining that the Zobe Regional Water Project was a partnership for completion with a target of providing more than 50 million litres of water to communities.

 

The Governor thanked the President for commissioning the Zobe Regional Water Project, and 50km Dutsinma-Tsaskiya road in Dutsin-ma Council.

 

Ortom to Buhari: Stop deceit, hypocrisy; if Katsina gets N6.25bn for ranching, give Benue N100bn

Reacting to this move, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has said it was the height of deceit and hypocrisy for the Federal Government to approve N6.25 billion for ranching in Katsina State and released N5 billion, while same government is creating cattle routes and encouraging open grazing in other states of the federation.

 

Governor Ortom, who spoke at Makurdi airport, was reacting to the revelation by Governor Bello Masari, at the commissioning of the Zobe Water Project in Dutsima, Katsina State.

 

 


Governor Ortom insisted that the Federal Government should apologise to him and extend the same gesture to Benue State by releasing N100 billion to Benue State for the establishment of ranches in the state.

 

“So Mr. President approved N6.5 billion for ranching in Katsina State. What kind of hypocrisy is this? Are we a serious country at all?

 

“If the President would say that the Attorney-General of the Federation should ensure the relocation of those who have encroached on cattle routes and grazing areas to do open grazing despite the surge in the population from less than 40 million in 1950 to the over 200 million people today;

“And the same President is encouraging ranching in Katsina State where he comes from, that is certainly laughable and very hypocritical and deceitful.

 

“We need an explanation because it is a shame. Since 2017 we have been for ranching and of course you recall that the Governor of Katsina State did say that it is unIslamic for anybody to talk about open grazing.

 

“The prohibition of open grazing is the only thing that will help this country, including the provision for ranching.

 

“So if the President has approved N6.5 billion for Katsina State, they should also approve N100 billion for Benue State with an apology to me.

 

“It is not right for the Federal Government to approve money for ranching in a state and leave others out.

 

 


“And in fact the governor of the state, in his remark, said N5 billion had already been remitted to their coffers. So I begin to wonder, where are we headed?”

 

Governor Ortom, who lamented “the level of unbearable poverty and hunger the APC-led Federal Government has unleashed on Nigerians,” said the prophesy of late Fela Anikulakpo-Kuti of Nigerians suffering and smiling was currently playing out in the country.

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About TEMI BADMUS

Temi Badmus is a Food scientist and an Art enthusiast. She is an health freelancer, and media Manager. She is a humorous and controversial writer, who believes all form of writing is audible if it's done well. Temi Badmus specializes on indigenous food nutrient research and values. She believes in reaching out to people with health decline through articles and giving advice on good eating habit.

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