…channel your grievances to EKSG, says company
People of Odo-Oro Ekiti in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State, have cried out over alleged encroachment and destruction of their land by Agbeyewa Farms Limited.
Addressing journalists on behalf of the community, the legal adviser of the Federation of Odo Oro Ekiti Development Union (FODU), Kayode Akinwunmi explained that the community already gave out 20 acres of land to the company for the establishment of Cassava Processing Industry at Odo-Oro along Itapaji road, as directed by the Onise of Odoro-Ekiti, wondering why the Company encroached on another parcel of land entirely at Oko Aun and Oko Ikasi in Igboroko farmland, along Itapaji Ekiti Road..
According to him, the company came with full force and destroyed lands and crops while the initial land allocated to them were completely abandoned.
His words, “They told the community that they need 20 acres of land from the land for the establishment of Cassava Processing Industry.
“The Monarch instructed the chief to show them around, along Odo-Oro Itapaji road.
“We were on the issue that the Agbeyewa came to a full force in another portion entirely and they began to bulldoze cocoa farmland, economic farm, the area allocated to them were completely abandoned.
“Series of meetings have been made with the state government. The former government and the new political dispensation.
“We have submitted a petition on this issue to the state government to draw their attention again”.
Also speaking, the Alaun of Aun, Odo-oro Ekiti, 2nd in command to Onise of Odoro-Ekiti, Akereledolu Omotayo called on the state government to intervene with a charge to Agbeyewa Company to steer clear of Odo-oro farmland.
Reacting to the allegations, the Director of Corporate Communications and Engagement,
Agbeyewa Farms Limited, Dauda Lawal said the claims of the community are unfounded and misdirected.
He maintained that the hectares of land allocated to the company by the state government was obtained legally and passed through due process.
The Director explained that their operations in the state is to cultivate, process cassava, and provide employment opportunities for the residents of Ekiti.
He urged the community to channel their grievances to Ekiti State government for better resolution.