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Bolu-Olu Esho
In effort to boost food production in Ondo State, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Wednesday, inaugurated the Steering Committee of the Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land-Intensive Agricultural Investment (FRILIA).
The committee was set up to balance investment opportunities with community rights and benefits.
At the inauguration, which held at Cocoa Conference Hall, Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure, he explained that “The inauguration of this Committee marks another giant step in our administration’s quest to ensure food security for the good people of Ondo State through sustainable collaboration involving host communities, Local Government Areas and the State Government.”
Explaining further the responsibilities of the committee, Governor Aiyedatiwa said: “The major objective of this Committee is to ensure we have an enabling environment that guarantees adequate protection for the host communities, ensuring they derive premium returns on their land being used for agricultural purposes in line with national policies on food security goals.”
He disclosed that the idea was first agreed upon by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum in collaboration with the World Bank, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), and the Forum itself.
The governor expressed optimism that “This we hope would enable Government to secure adequate agricultural land to ensure food security in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
Moreover, Governor Aiyedatiwa revealed that 26,000 hectares of land at Ori Ohin in Ose Local Government Area had been acquired by the state government for a pilot scheme.
He said: “The State Government equally conducted a stakeholders’ meeting with the community, the land owners, the tenants and Ose Local Government Council with a view to kick starting this project. Efforts to secure additional land for this project are ongoing.”
The governor, who disclosed that he head the Committee, outlined its terms of reference which include supervision of the FRILIA projects in Ondo State, monitoring of its finances and implementation, as well as post-project evaluation.
According to him, “To ensure the seamless and successful implementation of this project, the State Government has earmarked a sum of N7.5 billion for the agricultural sector. It is our hope that this project will ensure the growth and development of the agricultural sector and agricultural value chain in the State.
“I assure you of Government’s commitment to supporting all efforts geared towards creating a prosperous and developed agricultural sector that benefits the generality of the good people of Ondo State.”
The governor, therefore, charged members of the committee to diligently discharge their responsibilities in line with the committee’s mandate, assuring that under his leadership, FRILIA would serve as a model for inclusive, transparent, and community-driven agricultural investment in Ondo State.
Earlier, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Engr. Leye Akinola, described FRILIA as a cornerstone of the state’s agricultural and land reform agenda.
The framework, according to him, was designed to ensure that land-based investments are conducted responsibly, inclusively, and transparently.
He said: “The project provides a robust framework to ensure that land-based investments are conducted responsibly, inclusively, and transparently, delivering tangible and mutual benefits to both investors and landowners.
“In so doing, it safeguards community rights, fosters investor confidence, and creates a win-win platform where livelihoods are spread.”
Moreover, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Foluke Tunde-Daramola, appreciated the governor, noting that his leadership has redefined land allocation for agricultural purposes in Ondo State.
She disclosed that the state is already attracting investors and poised to take the lead nationally.
Among government functionaries present at the event are Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami, Speaker, Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti, Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa, Head of Service, Mr Bayo Philip, Members of the State Executive Council, Chairman, Ondo SUBEB, Rt. Hon. Victor Olabimtan, among others.