A 6,000 hectares of farmland that was supposed to create jobs as well as boost food production in the country has become a source of conflict between Agbede community and a company, the Delt-R Farms that supposedly bought the land. Osagie Otabor reports.
Youths and leaders of Agbede community in Estako West Local Government Area of Edo State are spoiling for war. They have vowed to resist any attempt by a company, Delt-R Farms, to evacuate them from over 3,000 hectares of the land they are cultivating for farming.
Tension was heightened over alleged plans by Delt-R to sell the farmland to another investor. The road leading to the farmland is being graded and a new billboard was recently erected.
The farmland popularly known as the Agbede/Warrake farms was established by the military administration of Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia in 1971 in the defunct Midwest Region. It was equipped with mechanised farming facilities, an air-strip, workshop, weigh bridge, silos, harvesters, tractors amongst others.
It started as Midwest Farm Settlement and later became Bendel Food Production Board. A German firm took over its management before the military administration of Colonel John Inienger sold it to Delt-R Farms for N3 million.
Delt-R was to, among other conditions, pay an annual rent of N67,034, maintain existing infrastructures in the land as well as not leave it fallow for a period exceeding six months at any time or eight months in a year.
It was expected to use the land solely for agric purposes and not erect any building other than those covenanted to be erected by virtue of the certificate of occupancy.
A recent visit to the farm showed that the villagers have cultivated large portion of the land, built up some parts and were preparing other parts for the new farming season.
The administrative building of the farm was dilapidated and overgrown by weeds. There was only one harvester and three tractors.
Head of Aviele Vigilante Squad, Isah Yahaya, who took our reporter on a tour of the farm, said the villagers started the land grab after the company failed to cultivate the land since it bought it. He said the land was meant to be cultivated to provide jobs and food for Agbede and other villages around.
He alleged that no recompense was paid for the acquisition of the land, adding that its long abandonment made the villagers to start farming on the land.
“Where will these people go? The farm was moving fine then. Whatever you think of, maize, cocoa, water melon and other crops were produced there.”
Documents obtained by our reporter showed that in 2007, an Aviele clan head and the Oba of Agbede, HRH Alhaji M. S Momoh wrote to the state government informing it that farming activities stopped on the farmland.
The letter noted that “the land is the only mineral wealth of the community. Agbede clan should not be allowed to suffer in the midst of their untapped natural resources. The community has been putting up with this hardship for almost two decades and signs of youth and community agitations over this avoidable waste are evident in this clan.”
In another letter dated 14th January, 2008, the Oba sought to know if the Agbede farmland was listed as a property under the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The Oba, in the letter, said they were prepared to utilise the farmland to enhance the community’s economic growth, adding ‘the land is wasting away.’
The state government, in its January 28, 2008 reply, said the retrieval process of the Agbede farmland from its present owners was being addressed, promising “efforts will be made to ensure that the Agbede Farm project is committed to productive use again as soon as possible.”
In February 2008, Oba Momoh ordered the management of Delt-R Farms to remove all movable machinery from the farmland as the community was prepared to take over the farmland from March that year.
He advised Delt-R to stay away from the farmland for the purpose of peace, stating, “your negative activities have killed the economic and social development of Aviele community and have aggravated wild-spread unemployment of our people.”
In 2011, the Edo State House of Assembly stepped in following a petition by Mr. Sylvanus Oninkena on behalf of the community.
The lawmakers asked the state government to revoke the instrument of sales including C-of-O and Deeds of Assignment to Delt-R Nigeria Limited for failure to abide by the terms of agreement.
It also urged the government to take possession of the farms, adding that all serviceable machinery including tractors, harvesters removed by the firm should be recovered.
The member representing Agbede in the House of Assembly, Hon Abdul-Razak Momoh, in an interview with The Nation, said Delt-R bought the farm for speculative purposes and not for farming.
He said investigation had shown that Delt-R was asking for $6.6m from an investor who wanted to acquire the farmland.
He said:“When the House of Assembly committee went there, they met about five harvesters and tractors but when we went there, we met only three. Part of the condition was that the land should not be left without cultivation. They have not cultivated that place for the past 20 years. The infrastructure they met there has been stripped.”
The lawmaker said the path for peace and avoidance of legal tussle was for the state government to honour the resolution of the House of Assembly.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Abdul Oroh said: “When you go there now, you would weep. There used to be an airstrip. Plane could land there. There were good mechanised equipment at that time.”
He explained that the company it over obtained a loan from the bank and there was a foreclosure to recover the loan, which led the farm being sold to another investor.
“If there is another investor, the community should tell us. If any investor comes, we will refer them to the owner of the farm for discussion,” Oroh added.
He said the government would resolve the issue this year.
Investigation showed that several investors have indicated interest to buy the farmland in pieces. Some are demanding 500 hectares for cassava farms, others are demanding 2,000 hectares for rice cultivation and other crops.
Management of the Delt-R Farms could not be reached for comments.
