Pa Osaigbovo, Odionwere of the community
* laments uncertain future, looming hunger
* Appeals for intervention of Gov. Obaseki, Benin Monarch, FG
By Kingsley Abavo in Benin
The people of Ologbo-nugu community, Orhiomwon Local Government Council Area of Edo State, have cried out; that ‘Barnsley Oil Palm PLC (SARO Farms) have forcefully taken over their farmlands throwing them into a future of uncertainty.
On Wednesday, 6 August, 2024 a team of journalists visited Ologbo-nugu community where the people led by the Odionwere (eldest man and Head); Pa. Aduwa Osaigbovo narrated a tale of woes and expressed their fears.
“We are going through hard times in the hands of SARO Farms.”
Protesting what they termed: continued oppression, harassment and intimidation by the Management of SARO Farms, the people carried placards of various inscriptions.
“SARO, leave 250 hectares for us to farm or Quit our land.
“Dr Tunde, stop deceiving us!
“Dr Tunde says we have nobody who can dare him.
“No M o U, no land for SARO.
“Keep to the agreement to leave 250 hectares for us, and
“Governor Obaseki, save us from Dr. Tunde,” amongst others.
The people alleged that ‘SARO Farms’ claiming a partnership with the Edo State Government, about three years ago came to take over the ‘Urhonigbe Forest Reserve’ which they have for centuries used for farming.
They have always paid the State Government annually for the use of the forest reserve, the people said.
The takeover was sudden, without prior memorandum of understanding (MOU) of any sort between them; the host community and original resident farmers and SARO Farms or the Edo State Government, they alleged.
Adding, that armed security operatives were used to chase them out of the forest reserve and thereafter, they brought in caterpillars to bulldoze the entire land.
Now, all their farms having various crops; cassava, plantain e.t.c which hitherto serves as source of earning a livelihood have been destroyed by SARO Farms; making life become miserable and hopeless for them, the people lament.
“All our investments in the previous farm seasons up till this season have all been destroyed by SARO Farms and we are left to loafer with nothing remaining.”
However, following their agitation, ‘Saro Farms’ was directed by the State Government to release 250 hectares of land to them.
But the company only released 50 hectares which they have rejected until it complies with the full directive, they said.
While patiently waiting for the full compliance with the State Government directive, they were shocked to hear that ‘SARO Farms’ and some suspected allies have told the Governor, Godwin Obaseki that the full 250 hectares of land have been released to them.
Whereas, Saro Farms have used armed security forces to chase them out of the forest reserve with their existing farms confiscated, they alleged.
Saying they do not know where to go from here; the people in their confusion and frustration lament SARO Farms have forcefully taken the soul of their survival; and life now looks very uncertain and miserable.
“We are not opposed to the investment of SARO in our land. We welcome it as great industrial development by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration.
“But not without our stake in the project properly defined. What we are protesting is the very crude, barbaric, oppressive and exploitative approach by which SARO grabbed our land without leaving any space for our community to farm.
“You can imagine them taking over 600 hectares of our farmland, leaving less than 50 hectares for us the rightful landlords.
“But they lied to the Governor that they left 250 hectares for us.
“They carry many soldiers along with them to intimidate our people both in their farms and in the community whenever they have to meet with our people.
“They refused to discuss terms of their occupation of the land: they refused our community to engage their experts to join the company’s enumerators in the assessment of crops for compensation.
“They refused to discuss royalty.”
SARO Farms allegedly prepared a one-sided Memorandum of Understanding and took to the community for their leaders to sign but it was rejected, they said.
“One Dr. Tunde who is in charge of SARO’S Community Relations was reported to have boasted to the Community that they don’t have anybody who can dare him.”
That comment is what has provoked the Diasporan Association of Ologbo-nugu, the people said adding that Tunde lacks a manner of approach.
“Why should they lie to the Governor who has become a friend of the community that they left 250 hectares for us?”
A former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Edo State Council, comrade Godwin Erhahon told newsmen that the Governor in an interaction with him disclosed that SARO farms in their report before him; said 250 hectares of land have been released to the people of Ologbo-nugu.
But this is not true, Erhahon the national leader of the people of Ologbo-nugu said.
He reiterated that the people are not against SARO investing on their land.
“But we insist that we have the right to decide what part and size of our land we can spare to them. Not they, in their sadist capitalists mentality choosing for us.
“To reciprocate the respect that the Governor has accorded us, we will consider the only 250 hectares if allocated to us in our chosen location.”
“For peace to reign, SARO should send Dr. Tunde away from the entire project so that he won’t continue to jeopardize our relationship,” the people also demanded.
“Imagine, after hearing that Journalists will be visiting the farm today (Wednesday, 6 August, 2024) he sent threat messages to some of our leaders at home last night.
“He needs to be tamed”, the people said.
Osasere Izorobor on behalf of the youths, the community secretary, Godwin Esorai Enogwan and the women leader Justina Osakwe corroborated the narrative of Odionwere Aduwa and comrade Erhahon.
As they disclosed that they have made several efforts to meet with the Governor, Godwin Obaseki and HRM Oba Ewuare II to report their scourge in the hands of SARO Farms but no success.
They however appeal for the quick intervention of the State Governor and HRM Oba Ewuare II to save the situation from deteriorating further into anarchy.
As they also appeal to President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order the Chief of Army Staff; to withdraw all the soldiers suspected to be illegally assigned to SARO’S officials in Edo State.
But Dr. Tunde Faturonti declined comment when contacted via the mobile phone for his reaction, instead he referred journalists to the State Government specifically; Kevin Uwaibi, managing director, Edo State Investment Promotion Office.
Uwaibi reacting said; “this is the period of propaganda; whoever told the media story about the SARO Farms may not be saying the truth, as there is a need for all parties including the media to sit down and find out what went wrong.
Saying he would not understand why his name was mentioned in the SARO Farms saga by someone, hence he suggests that all parties should sit down to discuss.
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