Date: 2013-07-10

The Kwara State Government on Monday paid the compensation of N86.314 million to 495 customary land occupiers at Shao, Elemere and Malete axis in Moro Local Government area following the accusation of their lands.

Presenting the checks to the community leaders of 28 communities affected in the axis, the Director-General of the Kwara State Bureau of Lands, Ilorin, Alhaji Yusuf  Babatunde Abdulwahab said the land was acquired for Agro-Allied Industry, a subsidiary of Nigerian Flour Mill and a public-quoted company of the Nigerian Stock Exchange.

The Director-General said the company will use the land to establish a farm, a plantation and a syrup manufacturing company.

This, according to him will create huge youth employment in the next few years, apart from the general transformation of the state economy and specifically in the axis where the industry will be situated.

He said after its establishment, the state through the company will be the No 1 in the country in syrup manufacturing in size and production capacity.

According to him, “A new value chain is in the offing, which is the production of cassava on a scale yet to be witnessed in the state, as well as other crops such as soya beans, maize and rice. This will create an opportunity for all and sundry who will be encouraged as out growers of such crops on an improved scale. The company has the capacity to purchase all products produced by all partners”.

Abdulwahab called on other communities to emulate people of Shao, Elemere and Malete axis by always being friendly and accommodating to investors to ensure speedy growth and development of the state, adding that the bureau has a long list of prospective companies for which they are sourcing land for agriculture, commerce and real estates.

While commending the affected communities for their understanding, he urged them to invest the money in a productive venture.

In his comment, the State Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, Alhaji Muhammed Baba Kpan, said the exercise was a manifestation of government’s pledge to bring dividends democracy to the doorsteps of the people.

He added that the acquisition of the land was a step to fulfill the Public, Private Partnership arrangement of the state government.

Also in their goodwill messages, the Balogun Gambari of Ilorin, Alhaji Adebayo Jimoh and Moro Local Government Chairman, Alhaji Shuaib Baba Jimoh, who spoke through Hon. Sheu Alaka commended the state government’s efforts at transforming the state.

They urged the beneficiaries to use the money judiciously and carry their children along in the sharing of the funds.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke with The Herald thanked the government for the gesture and promised to work harmoniously with the prospective investors.