Lagos State Government has paid N38 million as crops compensation to 15 traditional families of Ladekin, Igbodu and Molajoye in Epe for the acquisition of 500 hectares of land in the community intended for integrated Agricultural activities.
Speaking during the presentation of cheques to the representatives of the concerned communities over the weekend in Lagos, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, explained that the acquisition was part of the State Government’s strategy on the Five-Year Agricultural and Food Systems Roadmap which was recently launched.
She stated that by acquiring the land for agricultural purposes, the State Government sees it as a way of also bringing jobs and infrastructural development to the area, as businesses set up within the communities would require the expertise and the workforce of the residents of Igbodu.
Her words: “I recall that the State Government through the Agricultural Land Holdings Authority (ALHA), as the custodian of all agricultural lands in the State, acquired 500 hectares of Agricultural land from the traditional land owning families of Ladekin, Igbodu and Molajoye in Epe for the sole purpose of integrated Agricultural activities, through a Revocation Notice published in the Official Gazette No. 33, Volume 18, dated the 4th of July, 1985”.
“Over N38M has been paid so far to 15 families. The criteria used for the payment is the size of land owned by each of these families. There is a standard amount paid per hectare of land and it is on that basis that for whatever hectares of land we are acquiring from that family, they are paid and compensated accordingly”.
“I should also note that this is not just about the monetary aspect alone for the people of Igbodu. We will be bringing infrastructural development and the private sector to the area. Obviously, whatever businesses would be set up at that location would require labour and certain resources which only the Igbodu people can provide”, Olusanya asserted.
According to the Commissioner, the State Government recognises the economic and social importance of the land to the people, hence its decision to pay crops compensation to all the affected families, bearing in mind that most of the traditional landowners make their livelihood from the acquired lands.
She noted that the compensation exercise further reiterates the synergy that exists between traditional landowners and the State Government, thereby reinforcing the peaceful co-existence among all stakeholders, which is a key factor towards bringing development to rural areas of the State.
Olusanya disclosed that the State Government prioritises the prompt payments of compensation to agricultural land-owning families, adding that it was the same in the cases of other established Farm Estates such as Odogunyan Fish Farm Estate, Ikorodu; Erikorodo Poultry Estate, Ikorodu; Agbowa Arable Crops Estate, Epe; Igbodu Farm Estate Phases 1 & 2, Epe and Iya-Afin Vegetable Estate, Badagry, amongst others.
The Commissioner, therefore, reiterated the State Government’s commitment to the welfare of its citizenry, while commending the beneficiaries for their patience and understanding during the process.
