House of Representatives member, Hon. Tajudeen Adefisoye, writes Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu on issues bothering on leasing of Idanre forests reserves to investors.
This was disclosed to Yemiefash Media in a letter received by his Media aide, Oluyemi Fasipe. In the open letter stated, Hon Adefisoye commended the Governor for his unflinching efforts on security in Ondo State since the deadly massacre of innocent worshippers in Owo Catholic church and also appreciated his love for the good people of Idanre in fulfilling the construction of Idanre-Ijoka road.
He then addressed the acquisition of the Idanre farmland by the state government in the open letter to the Governor. He expressed the fact that Idanre has over the years remained the unmatched largest producer of Cocoa in the entire South West region of Nigeria in which the population expansion factor unavoidably compelled the residents to build houses on most parts of the ancient farmlands.
Adefisoye also claimed that the same factor has pushed the people of Idanre to extend their farming Activities into the Government Owned Forest Reserves. However, It is by this reason that Idanre Local Government Area contributes highest percentage of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) from Agricultural sector to the coffers of Ondo State Government.
In this cause of this expansion, majority of our farming population in Idanre have made substantial and long-term investments in their respective farms within the forest reserves. “Adefisoye said.”
Yemiefash Media had earlier reported that Protesting Ondo farmers accuse Akeredolu of forceful takeover, destruction of farmland.
Adefisoye urged the Governor to spare a deep thought for the economic survival of the concerned farming population in Idanre.
The Honorable also laid emphasis on the fact that the world is currently passing through a phase of fire economic challenges. For this reason, I cannot afford to compound the economic woes of the concerned farming population in Idanre at this time by taking away their sources of livelihoods, Adefisoye said.
He therefore pleaded to the Governor to please convey a stakeholders meeting where all issues could be discussed and get resolved amicably.