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| Gov orimisan ayedatiwa |
The Ondo State Government has sought to reassure residents of Ilaje Local Government Area that the proposed Dangote Free Trade Zone will not lead to the permanent loss of their ancestral lands.
The government said the proposed development forms part of its industrialisation efforts aimed at attracting investment, creating employment opportunities and boosting economic activities across the state's coastal communities.
The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Forestry, Bidemi Obayangban, gave the assurance on Thursday while responding to concerns raised by some elders from Ilaje regarding the project.
The elders had expressed opposition to the development, alleging that the establishment of the free trade zone could amount to a systematic acquisition of community lands.
Responding to the concerns, Obayangban said the government remained committed to protecting the interests of host communities while also creating an environment that would encourage investors.
He explained that the proposed arrangement with investors was based on legally recognised leasehold agreements rather than the outright sale of community-owned land.
According to him, the arrangement would enable investors to use the land for development while the underlying ownership interests of the host communities remain protected.
Obayangban also argued that discouraging investment could limit the economic development of the coastal region.
He said the proposed free trade zone could attract fresh capital, generate employment and contribute to the development of infrastructure in Ilaje and surrounding communities.
The governor's aide maintained that the state government would not sacrifice the future interests of Ilaje communities in pursuit of economic development. He added that the administration remained focused on balancing investment opportunities with the protection of the people and their interests.
He urged Ilaje indigenes to engage with the government through constructive dialogue, noting that concerns relating to land ownership and community interests could be addressed through appropriate legal and administrative channels.
Obayangban further warned that rejecting major investments because of concerns surrounding land ownership could limit economic opportunities for the coastal communities, particularly as other areas continue to attract industrial investments.