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The Ogun state government has commenced the payment of compensation to farmers in 20 villages of Wasinmi, Ewekoro Local Government Area, whose farmland where taken over for the development of an international airport in the state.
According to a statement made available to BusinessDay, a total of N500million was paid as compensation to about 5,000 farmers who lost their crops in the twenty villages.
Ibikunle Amosun, Governor of Ogun state, while presenting the cheques to beneficiaries in Abeokuta recently, said the compensation was to ameliorate the hardship that would be experienced by the farmers who have lost their means of livelihood.
Abayomi Sobande, Ogun state head of service, who was representing the governor, said the proposed airport would help open up the area for more development as well as ease the transportation of agric produce to other parts of the country and globally.
In her address, Adepeju Adebajo, commissioner for Agriculture, said the new development would promote socio-economic activities in the host communities and the state at large.
‘’This project will attract foreign investors, create employment for the teeming youths and promote socio-economic activities in the State. The State government is committed to prompt payment of crop compensation to farmers whose farmland is affected for this great mission to develop our State,’’ Adebajo said.
In his goodwill message, Kehinde Adepegba, chairman, Ewekoro North Local Council Development Area, said that the development of the airport would bring rapid transformation to Ewekoro, empower the youths and create opportunity for export of farm produce, advising members of the community to fully cooperate with the government to ensure the success of the project.
Oludare Omilani, one of the farmers that was compensated from Igbagba village, appreciated the Ogun state government for the prompt payment of the compensation, assuring that youths in the area would support contractors when they arrive on site.
Communities that has benefited from the first phase of the compensation are Pataleri, Igbagba, Mosan, Igbin Orola, Igbin Ojo, Igbin Arowosegbe, Idele and Balagbe.
Josephine Okojie
