Land Encroachment Allegation: Doma LG Chairman Directs Olam Rice Farm To Stop Further Work

Rabiu Omaku

The Executive Chairman of Doma Local Government, Hon. Jonathan Okuba Addra, has told the largest rice farm in Africa, Olam Rice Farm, to stop working on the controversial land said to belong to the Otiya community.

The Chairman at the end of the two-hour extensive meeting between the top management of Olam Rice Farm situated at Rukubu, Ijiwo communities, told Olam Rice Farm’s top echelon to stop further work pending the outcome of the one-week assignment given to representatives of the affected communities.

Jonathan Okuba Addra who read the resolution without any stakeholders from the three communities contested the resolution, directed Olam to stop work in the meantime pending findings by the stakeholders of Ijiwo and Otiya to know the clear demarcation between the two communities.

“All work on the disputed land will cease immediately until the demarcation process is complete, said the Local Government Chairman.

“The boundary demarcation of the three communities involved will ascertain their boundaries and submit a report to His Royal Highness, the Osakpa of Akpanaja, Alhaji. Musa Abari  Agye”.

The Hon.Chairman warned the youth of Otiya and other communities to shun the humiliation of staff of Olam Rice Farm whatsoever in the name of punishment.

“When the Chief Agronomist of the farm, Dr. Umar called me he told me that a youth from Otiya kidnapped their operator in the bush, Saying anybody who involved himself in such a drastic act would face the full wrath of the law, There is no how a group of people will arrive at such a heinous crime against humanity “.

He however expressed gratitude to all attendees for their participation despite short notice.

The State Solicitor General, The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Justice

The immediate past Nasarawa State Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Issac Edu, during the meeting was amongst those who went tough on Olam Rice Farm Limited.

During his presentation which lasted for 30 minutes, opened a lot of cans of worms, He described the deal as a monumental blunder, Adding that the Ijiwo community would rescind the agreement which he opined, is faulty and would not favor his people.

“The land that was leased to Olam was at the tune of N20, 000,000.00m for the past eleven years, He, however, explained that Olam was able to pay money to the tune of N17,000,000.00m remaining balance of N3,000,000.00m.

He further buttressed that the people of Ijiwo in those days gave Otiya the land they are occupying today because of the relationship that exists between them.

“Our elders say, Ijiwo give part of our land to Oda Go Ode due to the mutual understanding between the sister community, That is Ijiwo and Otiya”.

Issac Edu also revealed that the Chief Agronomist to Olam Farm, Dr. Umar informed him that the people of Otiya kidnapped one of their operators working in the bush as he faulted the multi-national company for trespassing their boundary.

“There was a request made by the community that they will refund N17,000,000.00 m back to Olam rice Farm but Dr. Umar during the meeting averred that the company turned down the request.

“10,000 hectares was given to them during Onoja in 1986 in Rukubi with an additional 2,713 hectares at just a paltry N20,000,000.00m

Elder Mohammadu Ikushunta, with a traditional title of Ginda’,u drew the attention of Olam Rice Farm which Ijiwo leased their land to them but did not sell any land to Olam.

While the Chief Agronomist, Dr. Umar during his submission presented useful documents of all the deals with the host communities, Stating that the company is operating in more than sixty countries without having any issues.

He however explained that his document which he presented one copy to the Executive Chairman of Doma Local Government listed the names of those who signed the deal years back.

According to him, ” M. I Adih was a signatory to the document dated June 2013.

Also Dr. Musa Ogah late

The Osaka of Akpanaja, Alhaji Musa Abari Agye as well the then Solicitor General, Isaac Edu

As he said Olam Rice Farm was issued a Certificate of Occupancy on 14/September/2014.

Also speaking was the paramount Ruler of Akpanaja, The Osaka of Akpanaja, His Royal Highness, Alhaji. Musa  Abari Agye applauded the Local Government Chairman for calling this very important meeting of critical stakeholders in the warring communities of Doma South.

“As a monarch from that axis, I’m not aware of those issues if not today, Appealing to the crisis-stricken communities of Ijiwo and Otiya to go back home and settle their differences by tracing the original borders”.

The Divisional Police Officer of Doma Local Government represented his counterpart from Doma,ASP.Balarabe urged the people to avoid anything that might cause untold hardship to the people of Otiya and the surrounding communities.

Also, the representative of the secret police appreciated the Chairman for his swift intervention to addressing the situation.

A member of the delegation from Ijiwo, Mt. Vincent Ijiwo in his contribution said three people each were selected from Ijiwo, Otiya, Anna Go Gah, Agirma, and Rukubi and in 2014 the committee accepted the offer.

The representative of the palace of the Chairman Council of Chiefs, His Royal Highness, The Andoma of Doma, and The Secretary to Andoma, Musa Addra thanked the Local Government Chairman for the holistic measure taken to avert future occurrence of such a gory situation.

To Be Continued……..