Ekiti: Acquisition Of Land For Agriculture Has Reduced Kidnappings – Gov Oyebanji

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has presented cheques to the tune of N146 million as compensation to 46 indigenes of Oke Ako, whose land were acquired for commercial agriculture.

A total 4,000 hectares of land were allocated to young farmers in the “Bring Back the Youth in Agriculture” scheme which is in partnership with an investor, in Oke Ako.

The project is aimed at boosting agribusiness, engage youths in commercial agriculture and open up the community and its environs for wealth creation.

Also, different range of tractors and processing equipment were  inaugurated by the Governor for use by the young farmers.

The event coincided with the dry season harvest by the participants in the “Bring Back Youths in Agriculture” programme of the state government.

Speaking shortly before distributing the cheques, the Governor expressed satisfaction with the takeoff of the agribusiness project despite the initial delay witnessed in a bid to resolve some issues around land acquisition.

He explained that the compensation could not be paid earlier to allow for the conclusion of enumeration of economic trees which were affected by the acquisition, noting that the second round of the enumeration exercise would soon commence to pay compensation to more landowners.

The Governor lauded the Oke Ako community led by the Regent, Princess Tinuade Ogunbiyi for cooperation with his administration, adding that commercial agricultural activities would attract rehabilitation and reconstruction of roads, provision of health facilities and establishment of cottage industries capable of turning around the economy of the axis.

The Governor also noted that kidnapping and other criminal activities have reduced remarkably in the area as most of the forests that served as hideouts have been cultivated under the agribusiness scheme involving the youths.

“What we are doing here today is another promise we have kept in ensuring that compensation is paid to our citizens whose land were acquired for commercial agricultural purposes.

“We are paying them the compensation for the economic trees lost to the acquisition process and for them to use the money to get another land for the continuation of their farming so that they will not be denied of their means of livelihood.

“For development to get to any place, it will be accompanied with some pains. It’s just like a woman who is giving birth to a baby, she will have to endure  pain after which the pain will be overshadowed by the joy of the birth of a new baby.

“Before we remove the remaining economic trees, we will pay compensation to the owners and the presence of large scale commercial farming will bring many positive things.

“Factories, schools and hospitals will spring up here while we can also have tractor assembling and engineering hub.”

Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Ebenezer Boluwade, said the commitment of the Governor made the payment of compensation possible.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Lands, Survey and e-GIS, Prof. James Olaleye, said the sacrifices of the landowners would go a long way in turning Ekiti into a leading agricultural centre in Nigeria.

He pointed out that the Bureau of Lands under his watch has been working tirelessly to ensure that land administration practices align with the vision of economic growth and food security.