ERA/FoEN commends Edo govt on Okomu revocation order

The Stakeholder Coalition for the Protection of the Environment, Edo State Chapter, a network of civil society and other groups involved in environmental justice struggles, has lauded the Edo State Government for reiterating it’s determination to stop Okomu Oil Palm Company from undermining the rights of community people through its land grab activities.

The coalition’s, while responding to Deputy Governor, Philip Shaibu’s recent remarks in relation to the Okomu controversy, when he asserted that the state government would not fold its hands and watch helplessly while powerful individuals and multinational companies undermine the rights of the people, commended the state government for its bold stance.

A statement by the Head, Media and Campaigns,Environmental Rights Action, Mr. Philip Jakpor, and made available to The Daily Times, said that, “Shuaibu also announced that a committee had been set up to look into the complaints of land-grabbing, environmental and livelihood destruction made against Okomu PLC, by 30 communities of Owan and Okomu forest zones of the state.”

According to the groups, “The Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), which is also a member of the coalition, said the government had, by the deputy governor’s statement, demonstrated commendable commitment to ensuring justice for the affected communities.

ERA/FoEN Executive Director, Dr. Godwin Uyi said that while the deputy governor’s statements were reassuring, comments credited to the companies’ official, who claimed to be Managing Director and a representative of Odighi, feigning ignorance about the government revocation order, tended to drown the voice and downplay the authority of the state government, as already expressed by the deputy governor.

Tony Ethan, coordinator of the coalition. said the controversial remarks by Okomu PLC is another open display of the disdain with which the multinational company’s officials treat the state government, as it has done with the impunity of bulldozing and planting oil palm in the vast forest reserves of Okomu and Owan, which the state government has revoked, alongside crops and the heritage of the poor communities.

Ethan urged the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, to act decisively in line with his government’s stand, even as he added that, Edo State and the Federal Government should not compromise the nations sovereignty to a multinational corporation.

The groups reiterated their earlier demands, which must be addressed to include: “Okomu PLC should obey Edo Government’s revocation order of 13,750 hectares of de-reserved lands in Owan and Okomu forest reserves; Okomu PLC should be brought to justice for the crops below going to poor villagers and biodiversity it bulldozed on the forest and must place t it with tress (not with palm trees); and Okomu PLC must be compelled to produce the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) certificate it was issued for it’s projects”