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The Oyo State government has paid compensations to about 77 families whose lands were acquired recently for mass production of cassava in Otu near Iseyin.
Isaac Ajiboye Omodewu, Oyo state commissioner for Lands, Housing, and Survey, presented the cheques to the beneficiaries at a brief ceremony in Otu, Itesiwaju Local Government Area of the state recently.
Omodewu, an indigene of Otu himself, lauded the governor for abiding by the law and demonstrating that the state believes in the peace and security of its citizens.
“It is the vision of the Oyo state governor to bring investors into the state and that is why he took it upon himself to ensure peace and security in the state for the comfort of the investors,” he said.
“The community has agreed to release the land to the government and their compensations are being paid accordingly today.
He said further that the compensation exercise has become necessary in view of the dictates of the land use act which puts all lands in the state in charge of the state, but added that the onus is on the state government to compensate those whose lands are acquired for development.
Wale Majolagbe, director of finance, Lexcel Group, and the representative of Allied Atlantic Distilleries, one of the investors of the mass cassava production said, “Since Oke-Ogun supplies most of the cassava we use, we decided to move to the 4,000 hectares of land available here for expansion.”
“Activities will start on the land by the first week in April and the ethanol production plant will be ready in the next two years,” Majolagbe said.
In his response to the gesture, AbdulFatai Niyi Adeagbo, chairman, Itesiwaju Local Government commended the state governor for promptly paying compensation to the owners of the acquired lands.
He also counselled all beneficiaries to make judicious use of the fund. He assured the state government and the investor that the people in the community will work in close harmony with all stakeholders to guarantee the growth and development of the community and the state as well.
Earlier in his welcome address, Moses Adeniji, the general secretary, Otuland Committee and the Agoro of Otuland, expressed appreciation to Abiola Ajimobi, governor of the state, for early payment of compensation noting that his committee’s efforts are not in vain. Agoro also congratulated all the land owners as he thanked them for releasing their lands for investment that will bring further development to Otuland.
“We are really happy, because we have craved this kind of project in times past, but today, it is at hand.
“As a community of peace, we are ready to give security and moral supports for the development of the project. “We are ready to assist them in any ramification, at any time they need our assistance,” Agoro said.
