Edo state governor, Adams Oshiomhole announced the immediate revocation of thousands of hectares of land in Ofada town held by the Esama of Benin and father of ex-governor Lucky Igbinedion, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion. iReports-ng.com learnt that the governor is miffed over reports that Igbinedion gave the hectares of land ceded to him by government out to commercial farmers who in turn pay annual rents in millions of naira to him.
The farmers on the land recently complained to the governor of incessant harrassment by Chief Igbinedion over delays in the payment of rents which they have been paying for years. The withdrawal of the land measuring 101,548 hectares from individuals who failed to meet the terms for which the land was dereserved for them, especially the Benin high chief and others in his shoes was announced today in a statement signed by Major Lawrence Loye (rtd), Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Public
Utilities.
The statement reads: “this is to inform the general public that Edo State Government has approved the revocation of all parcels of land measuring 101,548 hectares dereserved in the Forest Reserves for the purpose for which they were released to the beneficiaries.
“Under this administration, it is unacceptable for any person or bodies to use land released to them for purposes other than for which it was dereserved.
“All Cocoa farmers and other farmers currently farming on the dereserved land and paying royalties or land rent to individuals or third parties are hereby directed to stop such payments forthwith.
“The said Cocoa farmers and other farmers are hereby further directed to contact the Honorable Commissioner for Environment and Public Utilities for regularization of their stay in the aforesaid land.
“It therefore becomes an offence to intimidate or harass persons that are currently farming on the said revoked land as such will be visited with the full wrath of the law.”
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