Group protests displacement of over 60,000 farmers from Edo communities
A group in Edo state, the Stakeholder-Coalition for Protection of the Environment, on Wednesday protested against alleged displacement of over 60,000 farmers from their communities by Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc.
Mr. Oyi Ojo led the protesters to the Edo House of Assembly in Benin.
He told the Speaker, Justin Okonoboh, that former Gov. Adams Oshiomhole had revoked the occupancy permit given to Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc. over 13,750 hectares of land.
He said that two years after the revocation; the company continued to defy the order, adding that the company had increased its agricultural activities on the land.
“In the name of development and job creation, the company has continued to destroy the forest; it has taken away farmlands belonging to over 60,000 farmers in various communities.
“The affected communities are Okomu village, Agbede Makilolo, Lemo,Oweike, Avbiosi, Uhiere, Owan, Ugbobezi,Oke-Ora, Ekpan, Oke, Odiguete Uhonmora and Uzebba, among others,’’ he said.
Ojo appealed to the state government to intervene by enforcing the revocation order on Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc.
Responding, Okonoboh thanked the protesters for the peaceful manner of their demonstration and assured them that the lawmakers would address the matter.
(NAN)
