The Ekiti State Government has revoked 8,283.570 hectares of land at Oke-Ako Community in Ikole Local Government, belonging to the Oodua Investment Company Limited, with a large portion of the land being utilised for agricultural purposes.
The government has also earmarked N146.3 million as the first tranche of compensation to forty claimants whose crops and economic trees are on the excised portion of the Oodua Company land.
According to a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Value Orientation, Mr. Taiwo Olatunbosun, and made available to journalists in Ado Ekiti, this was part of the highlights of the decisions reached at the weekly State Executive Meeting held on Tuesday in Ado Ekiti.
He said, “The revocation of the rights/interest of the Oodua Investment Company Limited subsisting on a large parcel of land at Oke-Ako Community in the Ajoni Local Council Development Authority in Ikole Local Government Area of Ekiti State is in consonance with the Agricultural and Rural Development agenda of the present administration.
“A total of 8,283.570 hectares of land at Oke-Ako Community belonging to the Oodua Investment Company Limited, which was to be utilised by the company for integrated agro-business that could lift the local economy with significant economic and social impact on the state, now poses security threats to Oke-Ako and its neighbouring communities due to its abandonment for decades.
“The State Government has therefore decided to economically engage a substantial portion of the land for agricultural purposes.”
Relatedly, the Ekiti State Government has approved N61.18 million to produce 12,000 reflective jackets and permits for commercial motorcycles and tricycles as part of efforts to curb insecurity and standardise operations.
Recall that due to alleged criminal activities being perpetrated by some motorcycle operators in the state, the State Executive Council had sent a bill seeking to regulate their activities to the House of Assembly for passage into law.
Olatunbosun stated that the reflective jackets and permits would be issued to aid law enforcement in tracking and regulating operators, with a view to ensuring that only authorised individuals are allowed to operate in the state.
“To achieve this, the state government aims to conduct an enumeration of all operators to develop a comprehensive database. The government is fully committed to the safety and general well-being of people in the state and has been closely monitoring commercial motorcycle and tricycle operators towards enhancing security in the state.
“The job would be executed in line with the Direct Procurement Method by TEMPLE SYC INSPECTION LIMITED, which has a proven track record in the state and has been managing revenue collection for roadworthiness for the State Government.
“It was considered an advantage to utilise its existing system in generating a comprehensive database for the state,” he said.
