Kwara State government, through its Bureau of Lands, has presented N86.5 million to 495 customary landowners in 28 communities of Moro Local Government Area of the state as compensation on their 5,000 hectares of land acquired for the establishment of an agro-allied pharmacetical company.

Speaking at the event, the Director General of the Bureau, Alhaji Yusuf Abdulwahab, said upon completion, the state through the company would be first in syrup manufacturing in size and production capacity in the country.

He said the 5,000 hectares of land would be used to establish cassava, soya beans, maize and rice plantation farm and a syrup manufacturing company that would make use of the cassava.

Alhaji Abduwahab also said that the project would create an opportunity for cassava farmers and other people, who he said would be encouraged to plant on large scale.

He added that the company has the capacity to purchase all products produced by all partners.

He then encouraged other communities to emulate Shao, Oloru, Elemere and others in the area of friendliness, accommodation and open-hand to investment, saying that was how development would spread to all parts of the state.

Abduwahab also said that a number of prospective companies that were in need of land for agriculture, commerce and real estates were on the list of the bureau.

The director general also advised beneficiaries to ensure that every family member are made to benefit from the compensation, adding that they should put the money to productive use.

He also commended the community leaders, otherwise called Baloguns, Mogajis, the chairman of Moro Local Government, the Ohoro of Shao and all the affected communities for their understanding of what the state government was bringing to their doorsteps.