BENIN CITY, Utoka (Ovia North-East) – As part of the process for revolutionizing Edo State economy in the area of agriculture and agro-allied industries, the state Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources has visited some communities in Ovia North – East Local Government Area for the purpose of siting a factory in the area.
The visit which was led by the Commissioner in charge of the ministry, Hon. Abdul Oroh, with the Director of Agricultural Services, Mr. M.I. Ainogie and the Consultant to the Ministry on Land Matters, Dr. Osasu Ekpen Isibor, said the commissioner with his team has visited Utoka and Igue-Oshodin communities.
Addressing the communities, Hon. Oroh informed them of government’s plan to bring a major project to the communities having sourced and discovered their area suitable for the project aimed at creating jobs as well as enhancing the economic well-being of the citizens in the locality.
Oroh emphasized that the company, Prima Dufil Ltd, producer of Indomie and palm-oil is already anxious to commence operation noting that the surveyors would soon visit the area for the purpose of crops and demographic enumeration as well as create buffer zone so that citizens of the communities would still have enough land for farming.
Allaying their fears that the would-be investors would live up to their corporate social responsibility in terms of providing social infrastructure and engaging indigenes of the host communities, the Commissioner stressed that all he has told them were already enshrined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the would-be investors and the state government.
On the issue of crops enumeration, Hon. Oroh said there would be no cheating as owners of crops will be adequately compensated with the communities carried along.
He also disclosed that there would be assistance in the area of land preparation and provision of improved varieties for them when the companies become operational.
In their respective remarks, the Enogie of Utoka, His Royal Highness, Airomwanbor Ogiemwonyi and the Secretary General of Igue-Oshodin, Hon. J.A.O.E. Agbonile who spoke on behalf of the communities appreciated the gesture of the state government and gave assurance of their full support to ensure the success of the project which they maintained would be beneficial to the affected communities.
About 18 communities are connected to the siting of the projects.
The visit continues.
Gov. Adams Oshiomhole
