Umahi Denies Receiving N6b for Ranching Reserves in Ebonyi

Benjamin Nworie in Abakaliki

Ebonyi State Governor, David Umahi, has denied that the state was part of those that received N6 billion from the federal government, to create ranching reserves for herdsmen in the state.

In a statement issued by the Governor’s Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, Umahi faulted the claims made by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, that Ebonyi State had processed and received the money.

The governor said: “Ebonyi State Government never at any time received any money for ranching in the state, and will not receive any money for the same purpose as there is no available land for ranching in the state.

“Any Ebonyi person who wishes to engage in personal ranching should see such venture as a personal decision and must use his/her land for such purpose. This is because Ebonyi State Government has continued to maintain that there is no land for ranching in the state, and won’t renege from the decision.”

However, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Linus Okorie, has commended the state government for speaking up on vital issue, but urged it to go further to clear all doubts.

In a statement issued and made available to THISDAY, the two-term member of the House of Representatives stated that the denial by the governor was impressive as it shows that the government has exhibited responsiveness to the concerns of the people.

Okorie said: “The statement issued by the Ebonyi State governor denying the receipt of N6billion for ranching is impressive, as it shows that the government has exhibited a rare trait of responsiveness to the concerns of the people. However, it amounts to great motion without progress.

“While denying that Presidential Spokesman Garba Shehu’s announcement that Ebonyi State government was one of those that had received N6 billion for ranching, it fell short of clarifying what money it received for the presidency and for what purpose.

“Without that clarification, one is left in quagmire of either believing the state government or the presidential spokesman on funds released by the presidency and for what purpose. So while commending the state government for speaking up on this important matter, it should go further to clear all doubts.”