Obasanjo speaks on burning of Benue farm

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said the action of “a few miscreants” who burnt his farm in Benue State should not be used to judge the state.

In a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, Mr Obasanjo said the burning of the 17,000 mango tree plantation would not deter his investment in the state, as he would bounce back and increase the direct workforce from 150 to more than 1,000.

The former president’s farm situated in Gwer East local government area of the state was destroyed on January 29 by suspected hoodlums.

“This action by this few misdierected miscreants should not be judged by the world,” Mr Obasanjo said.

“It is not the true reflection of the people of Benue. The action should not scare away investors, because Benue people are very accommodating and friendly.”

The statement said the former president spoke while hosting a delegation from Benue State and the community, where the farm, is located, at his Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The delegation, led by the Chairman of the Gwer East Traditional Council, Dominic Akpe, was accompanied by the House of Assembly member representing Gwer East Constituriency, Geoffrey Agbatse; Chairman Gwer East Local Government, Ortserga Emmanuel; among others, empathised with the former president on the burning of his mango plantation in the state.

Mr Obasanjo lamented that the dastardly act had only delayed the vision he had for the project. He said the incident was not the best for the state and the community.

“The land was acquired long ago and payment made for the lease of the land. If the government has not paid any compensation to any family or that they have not been adequately compensated, burning of the farm, was not the best to do.

“You have said it yourself that the farm employed about 150 workers before it was burnt. Our plan was for the project to provide at least 1,000 persons directly, both on the farm and when the processing factory takes off.

“What has happened, was not a loss to we investors alone but to the 150 that were working on the farm before it was burnt and the people that we intend to engage in the processing factory, that had been delayed now even with the level of unemployment in the country.

“The governor did everything to make the project a reality. What they have burnt, was a pilot project for what we have in mind if things work well.

“The governor, the Tor Tiv, the Bishop and other notable leaders and stakeholders, had emphatised with us, they had ntervened and had assured us that justice would be served.

“What has happened is not in the character of the people of Benue and particularly, the community, where the farm is located.

“You have said that you need Investment in the state either from within or outside the state. Therefore, the world should not judge Benue by this act of a few disgruntled elements that perpetrated this act.

“Let me assure you that we are not going to leave the area. We are looking at what we can do when the rain starts. The project will only be delayed but we shall improve on what we have on ground.

“The government had promised us the possibility of giving us more land and this will give us opportunity for bigger plantation.”

Speaking earlier, the leader of the delegation, Mr Akpe empathised with Mr Obasanjo over the incidentl

The traditional ruler, disclosed that some of those that perpetrated the act, had been arrested, stating that others would be apprehended.

“We have come to appeal to you not to lose hope despite the arson. During the several meetings and discussions after the incident, it was obvious that we initially regarded the farm as yours and did not own it.

“We have now discovered its importance to us and have resolved to own it by providing security, regularly monitoring it, and at holding regular meetings with the gist community to ensure that what happened in the 29th January 22, never ever repeats itself.

“Moving forward, we have identified other parcel if land and when we are able to strike an agreement with the host communities, request you to expand the farm to other parts of the local government.”