The Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi has dismissed the claim that he received N6 billion from the Federal Government for the establishment of ranching in the state.
Presidential spokesman, Mr Garba Shehu had, on Monday, reportedly listed Ebonyi among the states that have received the ranching fund.
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Mr Shehu spoke when he was featured on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday night.
But Governor Umahi insisted that he was opposed to the establishment of ranching in his state and that there was no land available for such venture.
The governor’s reaction was contained in a statement Thursday by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Francis Nwaze.
The statement said, “We have received the news making the rounds that Ebonyi State is among the states in the Federation that have received the sum of N6 billion each for ranching as attributed to the Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu while responding to questions on Channels Television on Wednesday night.
“That 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.
“That should any Ebonyian opt to engage in personal ranching, Ebonyians should see such venture as a personal decision of such person who must use his/her land for the purpose.
“This is because Ebonyi State Government has continued to maintain that there is no land for ranching in the state and it is not about reneging from the decision.”