The Ogun State Government on Thursday made good its promise of paying compensations to farmers whose crops had to give way to some of its infrastructural developments.
About 20million Naira was paid to 151 farmers in Itoku Elewe Irepodun Community in Kobape, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the State, whose farmlands were affected by a new housing scheme to be located in the area.
Presenting the cheques to farmers in the first 50 hectare land acquired, Commissioner for Agriculture, Mrs. Ronke Sokefun reaffirmed that the Senator Ibikunle Amosun led administration was passionate about agricultural development and would have ordinarily not tampered with their crops.
She, however, said that government had to take the painful decision of taking over the farmlands because it was extremely necessary, saying that at the end of the day, the housing scheme would help open up the area and attract more people that would enhance their socio-economic status.
“We are very much aware that your crops are important to you, and we know that farming is your major source of income, as a matter of fact, agricultural development for food production and industrialisation remains one of our five cardinal programmes, but we also need the land to pursue another cardinal programme, housing.
“At the end of the day, it would be a win-win situation as the housing scheme would bring in people, engender further development and ultimately, enhance socio-economic status”, Sokefun remarked.
She therefore enjoined them to make judicious use of the money given to better their lots and that of their respective dependents.
Also speaking while presenting another batch of cheques, her counterpart in the Ministry of Housing, Mr. Daniel Adejobi, said that the housing scheme was capable of improving the living standards of the farmers, as it would attract infrastructure like roads, power supply and potable water.
He added that the massive population that would move to the area as a result of the scheme would be a ready market for their farm products, noting that it may not need to take them going too far before they get their produce sold.
The Commissioner urged them to continue supporting the State Government as it was moving to implement its mission to rebuild, promising that very soon, similar compensation would be paid to farmers on the second 50 hectares also acquired for the housing scheme.
Responding on behalf of recipients, Baale of the Community, Waheed Afolabi lauded government for fulfilling its promise of early compensation, pledging their continuous support for the successful implementation of its programmes.
