Kehinde Ayanboade
Farmers in Aba Aremu, an agrarian community in Omi Adio, Ido Local Government has call on the government to assist them on the loss recorded in there produce and plantation that was destroyed by the CCECC construction company in charge of the Rail Construction that passes through their environment.
The farmers who ventures into Cocoa, Pepper, Vegetables Crops and Fishery business in that area has revealed that since the commencement of the Rail Project their means of income has been blocked without a due process.
One of the farmers, Mr. Benjamin Akinlawon while expressing his dissatisfaction explained that since early 2018 he has not been able to plant his crops and the one he planted has been destroyed by flowing water that was bounced back by the company.
“The government should come to our rescue on this matter, our lands were been destroyed in the cause of their project without any proper negotiation and compensation.
I deals in the plantation of vegetables and pepper seedlings and I’ve been on this land for the past 6,7 years with sales and everything going good until the arrival of this company.
I operate the total of 5 acres of low land that we used during dry season and I realised nothing less than 17 million naira per annum.
When my loss and that of Doctor Eliot (the fishery bussinessman) who is my neighbour was weighed, the total estimated value for our loss is 25 million naira.”
He added that the disastrous development as resulted in his neigbouring farmer who engage in fishery has developed hypertension and has been admitted at the Oke Ado Hospital.
He further explained that the Fishery Business man has hitherto consult his lawyer to fight for their right but they replied the lawyer that they have nothing to give to masses affected by their project.
Another farmer who based in cocoa plantation explained that she has also been affected by the project and all his farm produce planted in about 2 acres with the worth of over 200,000 estimated value are not allowed to mature till the stage of harvested.
She added that they had initially pile loads of sand to destroy alot land that belong to his father without any negotiation.
To feel the opinion of the Community Head on the knowledge of the project, Mr. Muraina said he was told that the project will commence but he was not given any money.
He added that he haven’t made any move as the head of the community because one of the farmers have decided to take over the legal application to the case.
