Land grabbing: Communities berate Okomu Oil over alleged displacement

A number of farmers who claimed to have been displaced by Extension 2 Plantation of Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, have cried out, to relevant authorities, especially Edo State Government to compel the company to compensate them .

Some of the affected farmers in communities like Odighi, Odiguetue and Uhuire, all in Ovia North – East Local Government Area of the state, and Oke – Irhue in Uhunmwode local government area, also in Edo state, expressed dismay over what they described as unacceptable destruction of their livelihood without due compensation; thereby plunging them into serious hardship.

The farmers who alleged neglect of their communities, also noted that the presence of the company in their localities has done more harm than good, as their farm lands have been forcefully taken away from them without any alternative‎.

However, the Communication Officer of Okomu Oil Palm Company Plc, Mr. M Fidelis Olise, in a reaction, described the allegations as untrue.

He noted that the company has done much for the host Communities, stressing that the various developmental projects executed for communities in Extension 2 of the company’s host communities are visible for all to see.

The Communication Officer further stated that Okomu oil palm company plc will respond to the various allegations levelled against it at the appropriate time.

The aggrieved farmers who spoke to journalists during a Media Tour of some communities affected by Extension 2 palm plantation of Okomu oil palm company, which was anchored by Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth, Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), said the company should compensate all affected farmers.

At Uhuire, Ovia North – East local government area, the Odionwere of the village, Pa. Ovenseri Owakhina noted that he lost several acres of farm land, and that he has not been compensated.

He emphasised that since the oil palm company has taken their means of livelihood (farm lands), it should take care of Senior Citizens of the community by paying them allowances as they have been thrown into hardship.

Pa Owakhina said at the moment, his community needs a standard town hall and a borehole as the one provided by Okomu Oil Company is no longer functional. He similarly lamented that the health center said to have been renovated by the company in still in a deplorable state, noting that his community deserves a better “treatment “.

Another farmer affected in Uhuire, Mrs. Juliet Samuel Ikuku, who claimed to be making about N300,000 weekly from her pawpaw farms, before they were destroyed to make way for palm plantation, alleged that some farmers were compensated, while others were not given anything.

She expressed sadness over the situation, pointing out that her children have dropped out of school as she can no longer meet their financial needs.

At Odighi, Ovia North – East local government area, a farmer who said he was affected, Mr. Akonofua Osazee, said only few persons were paid in his community, adding that they were paid peanuts. According to him, they were paid N12,000 per acre, noting that the amount paid per acre was too meagre, compared to what they were getting from each acre of farm before the destruction.

He said some of the farmers borrowed money before they went into farming, and that the poor compensation has further plunged such farmers into debt and poverty.

Mr. Pius Imarenakhue, a farmer in Odiguetue, in the above local government area, alleged that 48 acres of farm belonging to him was destroyed, and that he was only paid N24,000.

He stated that there was no dialogue between farmers in the community and Okomu oil palm Company before their farms were bulldozed.

Another farmer in the village, Mrs. Beauty Ehiarivbian, said she lost eight acres, and that no compensation was paid.

However, another farmer in the village, Mr. Uwadiae Umweni, said he lost 27 acres of farm, adding that he was paid N110,000 as compensation. He also said his wife got N60,000 having lost 24 acres of farm.

At Oke – Irhue, Uhunmwode local government area, Mr. Emmanuel Giwa alleged that some persons are benefiting from the company in the community, emphasizing that II (eleven) acres of his farm was bulldozed and that he was not compensated.

Similarly, Mr. Ogieva Erhunmwunse alleged that he lost 15 acres of farm, without compensation.

But at Odighi, Mr. Osasuyi Adah said, ” we benefited from Okomu, they renovated the Enogie house, they equipped the health center, and every year, they (Okomu) grade our road “. He also said the company has awarded scholarship to some indigenes of the community, stressing that to him, the company is doing well.

He however said he was not satisfied with the quality of the road being graded, and that the company should improve on it.