Expansion: Edo Govt approves acquisition for Okomu

BENIN CITY – As part of efforts to ensure sustainable agriculture production in Edo State, Okomu Oil Palm Plc has been given approval to acquire 11,400 hectares, known as extension 2 in Ovia North East local government area of Edo State,
The Managing Director of the company, Dr. Graham Hefer made the disclosure yesterday shortly after a meeting with the Edo State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Joe Okojie.
In his words: “Government has given us a portion of land, what is called extension 2 in Ovia North East Local Government. It is a piece of land that has been with the government for a number of years. We went through the proper route and we made sure that everything was in order before we purchased the land. And now we have been given a Certificate of Occupancy and Deed of Assignment, Dr. Hefer stated.
The Okomu MD who commended the Edo State government for the acquisition said it plans to plant 10,000 hectares and with an expected yield of 40,000 tons, described the position as a win-win situation for government and the company which he said needs to be sustained.
He added that part of the discussion with the commissioner borders on what needed to be done in order to make sure that the agric business survives in Edo State, saying that Edo State is investors friendly and that collaboration in the sector will be to the ultimate benefit of the state.
On its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), he said that the company had spent more than two and a half billion naira within the company and local communities, as well as local governments in developing boreholes, grading roads and building a town hall.
“In Ovia North East, we are helping them with a new clinic by putting in equipment for them. It has been a win-win situation for both the government and ourselves”, Dr. Hefer added.
Besides, he also disclosed that the company currently employs over 600 people and could go up to 45,000 workers, stressing that its impact is also felt by the police in the area with provision of vehicle and borehole.
He however lamented that palm oil prices and rubber were at an all time low, stressing that it is still carrying on in the light of the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari has urged agric companies to refocus in order to revitalize the sector for a better economy.