How Late Governor Akeredolu Bought Tractors, Sold To Farmers In Ondo In Line With FG Policy

By Ayodele Oni

The family of late Governor of Ondo state Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has reacted to reports that the late Governor sold off some tractors which belongs to the State at give away prices.

A statement in Monday by the late Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olabode, explained that the tractors were sold to farmers in the State in line with the Agricultural Equipment Hiring Entrepreneurship Scheme (AEHES) which was put in place by the President of the Africa Development Bank ( AFDB) Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, when he was Minister for Agriculture.

“The facts, are: That in line with the Agricultural Equipment Hiring Entrepreneurship Scheme (AEHES) which was put in place by the President of the Africa Development Bank ( AFDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, when he was Minister for Agriculture, the Ondo State Government, under the late Governor Akeredolu procured some tractors for the use of farmers in the State by selling it to them at subsidized rate and payment spread over a period of time.

“The scheme was designed to turn farm mechanisation into business. It was aimed to develop the farm mechanisation link of the Agricultural value chain.

“The target is for beneficiaries to help others in adjoining farms. Most beneficiaries, after clearing their own farms would hire to adjoining farms. The proceed goes directly to the farmers and the program was a success.

“The scheme was aimed to put an end to the constant breakdown and abandonment of tractors bought by successive governments and put in charge of local government administrators.

“The poor maintainance culture and the nonchalant attitude of the people to government owned properties have accounted for the breakdown and neglect of many tractors in the past.

“In a bid to ensure sustainability and maintenance, the government thought it wise to place ownership in the hands of the farmers. The beneficiaries of these tractors bought the equipment and spread payment over a period of time. Their C of Os were submitted as collateral.

“Mr. Olayato Aribo was not the Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources when this scheme was initiated and consummated. These tractors were procured during the first term of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

“Asiwaju Adegboyega Adefarati, who is now the Honorable Member of House of Representatives, representing the good people of Akoko Southwest/ Southeast Federal Constituency was the commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources then.

“He worked round the clock to ensure that the scheme, particularly the procurement of the tractors became a reality.That throughout the scheme, the late Governor didn’t interfere on who the beneficiaries should be except for the case of Chief Olu Falae, who owns Midland Farms.

“The late Governor personally called and said Chief Olu Falae should benefit from the subsidised tractors. All the beneficiaries are farmers in the state. They are traceable and verifiable.

“The first batch of the tractors were purchased from John Deere Tractor. After some beneficiaries paid outrightly, another batch was purchased from Dizengoff Nigeria.

“In view of this, the insinuation that Akeredolu sold off government tractors is wicked and mischievous. It is a deliberate attempt to soil the name of a man whose impeccable service to the state was borne out of passion and courage.

“We, therefore, urge government officials to be accurate in their statements and account of events as they relate to the late Governor Akeredolu administration.”