Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has intervened to resolve disputes over the use of a government forest reserve for agricultural purpose in Ovia South West and Ovia North East Local Government Areas.
The mediation meeting, held on Wednesday at Government House, Benin City, brought together investors, traditional rulers and community leaders from Iguomon, Egbetta and Usen communities.
Speaking on behalf of the governor, the Deputy Governor, Hon. Dennis Idahosa, said that the land in question belongs to the Edo State Government under the Land Use Act, stressing the need for public order and dialogue in resolving disagreements.
Idahosa traced the dispute to what he described as lapses by the previous administration, which allegedly allocated the forest reserve to investors without adequate consultation with host communities.
He said the meeting was convened to clarify issues, protect community interests and reposition Edo State as an investor-friendly destination.
“We just concluded a very important meeting. We have three investors interested in oil palm production in Ovia South West and Ovia North East. This aligns with the vision of Governor Monday Okpebholo to open Edo State to more investments,” Idahosa said.
According to him, critical stakeholders, including community leaders led by the Elawure of Usen, Oba Wilson Oluogbe II, and Palace Chiefs, participated in the dialogue to ensure inclusiveness.
He disclosed that investors agreed to increase the proposed community buffer from five to 10 percent, in recognition of the agrarian nature of Ovia communities, where a majority of residents depend on subsistence farming.
Idahosa added that investors would enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with host communities to guarantee their involvement in decision-making and protect their interests.
“Governor Okpebholo’s administration is people-oriented. While investors are important to us, the welfare and livelihood of our people remain paramount,” he said.
The Secretary to the State Government, Musa Ikhilor, Esq., on his part, said that proper needs assessment and consultations with community development associations should have preceded the allocation of the land.
He urged investors to prioritise corporate social responsibility, job creation and welfare programmes for host communities, noting that Usen and neighbouring settlements are historically farming communities.
Commending the state government’s intervention, Oba Wilson Oluogbe II described the dialogue as positive and timely.
He called for clear agreements in the MoU, particularly on employment opportunities, education, water supply, roads and healthcare, to ensure that communities benefit meaningfully from the investments.
The investors include, Nimbel Shaw Limited, Professional Support Farms Limited and Steve Integrated Limited.
