Ogun State Government says all communal issues relating to acquired agricultural land will be resolved, to create an enabling environment for investors to thrive in their businesses.
Commissioner for Agriculture Development and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo stated this during a visit to Oke-Odan Oil Palm Cluster and the palace of Olowo of Owoland in Yewa South Local Government Area of the State.
Hon. Owotomo, who restated the present administration’s determination to make investors comfortable in the process of carrying out their business activities, noted that the State government had inaugurated a task force to prosecute people who engaged in land grabbing, saying the law would take its course on anyone involved in the act.
Owotomo explained that the visit was to support, engage and encourage allottees/investors to keep up the terms of their engagement with the State government, stressing that land acquired for agricultural purposes should be used as such, admonishing them to work harmoniously as a cluster through shared service, work on Corporate Social Responsibility initiative that would make their impact felt positively by the host communities, and ensure that payment of their ground rent was done as and when due.
In his contribution, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Samuel Adeogun encouraged allottees to look inwards on services that would benefit the lot of the people in the communities, just as he advised them not to take laws into their hands and report immediately to the Ministry if they have any challenge with the host community.
Speaking earlier, the Olowo of Owoland, Oke-Odan, Oba (Engr.) Abdul Mojeed Alao commended the Commissioner for his visit, assured of his unflinching support for the present administration, and requested that the village should be granted excision to avoid unnecessary dispute.
Responding on behalf of the members of Oke-Odan Oil Palm Farm Cluster, Prince Emmanuel Oronaiye appreciated the Commissioner and his team for the honour done on them, and affirmed that they had so far received kind gesture from the State government, soliciting for an accessible road, provision of fertiliser, tractor and other equipment.
Morolayo Fadairo,
Press Officer, Ministry of Agriculture Development and Food Security.
