By Ayodele Oni
Ondo state government has clarified that protesting farmers claiming occupation of their plantations are illegal Occupants of government forests reserves.
The state government also accused the protesting farmers of not abiding by agreement reached with them on the forest reserves.
Government, in a statement on Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan exonerated the governor’s aide and other top bank officials of any wrong doing in handling the farmers issues.
Some farmers had early in the week took to the ever busy Benin – Ore road protesting alleged forceful take over of their plantations by private individuals under the guise of using them for farming.
The statement maintained that various efforts of government on the forests reserves were aimed at reforming and sanitising land use practices within government reserve areas across the state.
“The Ondo State Government reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the welfare of genuine farmers and the responsible, equitable, and legal use of only declassified degraded forest reserves for agricultural purposes. It is, however, necessary to clarify and correct the public narrative currently being circulated:
“Many of the aggrieved farmers currently occupying parts of the Oluwa Forest Reserve (OA3A) have breached existing agreements and exceeded designated land allocation parameters.
“Some have encroached into restricted forest zones without authorisation, while others have failed to comply with the agreed land use terms, posing serious environmental and security concerns.
“Contrary to the claims of contempt for court injunctions, the Ondo State Government and all related agencies; public and private, have acted strictly within the framework of the law.
“Where litigations are ongoing, every step taken has been guided by legal counsel, verified surveys, and documented notifications. No action has been taken arbitrarily.
“Hon. Akinsola, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agribusiness, is a government appointee overseeing agribusiness in the state.
“His role involves the strategic management of large-scale commercial agriculture investors granted concessions to develop extensive hectares of land, an effort that is expected to create thousands of jobs and boost the state’s revenue.
“Claims suggesting that he is involved in land grabbing are not only false but politically driven and completely at variance with the facts.
“It is equally important to clarify that Mr. Ayo Sotinrin is the Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, a federal government institution. Allegations implying that he is using a private firm to seize farmlands are malicious, unfounded, and a clear attempt at character assassination.
“SAO Agro-Allied Services, on its part, has been operating under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement approved by the state since 2021.
“The firm’s acquisition and development of agro-industrial zones have followed due process and are under full government oversight. None of its activities involves the unlawful takeover of legally secured farms.
“Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa wishes to state emphatically that at no time, whether during electioneering or otherwise, did he make any promise to support illegal occupants of government land or forest reserves.
“His administration remains committed to legal, inclusive, and forward-looking agricultural development. An investigation is ongoing to identify genuine farmers with verifiable claims, separate from speculators and unlawful occupants.
“The Governor remains open to dialogue with all stakeholders and is determined to protect livelihoods without compromising the rule of law.”
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