By Paul Joseph
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has directed a comprehensive boundary audit of a disputed forest reserve linked to Rex Forestry Limited in Ondo West Local Government Area, assuring farmers that their investments and livelihoods will be protected throughout the process.
The governor issued the directive on Monday during a meeting with representatives of 27 communities affected by the land dispute at the Cocoa Conference Hall in Akure.
Aiyedatiwa said the state government was committed to implementing a structured land-use framework that would accommodate both local farmers and investors within clearly defined boundaries, stressing that decisions would be guided by verified facts rather than speculation.
He noted that conflicting claims exist regarding the size of the concession, with estimates ranging between 37,000 and 50,000 hectares, while local communities maintain that about 10,000 hectares are currently under cultivation by farmers.
To address the dispute, the governor directed the Surveyor-General to conduct a detailed verification and demarcation exercise to determine the exact boundaries of the concession.
He reassured farmers that no cocoa plantations would be destroyed during the audit process.
“They are not touching your cocoa trees until we finish verification,” the governor said.
Aiyedatiwa explained that where adjustments become necessary, the government would adopt a phased transition approach rather than forceful displacement. He added that alternative farmland and seedlings would be provided to any affected farmers.
The governor also disclosed plans to establish new farm settlements as part of a long-term agricultural restructuring programme aimed at sustaining productivity and expanding opportunities for farmers.
Highlighting the importance of balancing rural livelihoods with economic growth, he described large-scale investors as critical partners in job creation, industrial development and infrastructure expansion.
He maintained that concessions granted by previous administrations remain valid and emphasized the need for policy continuity in land administration.
The governor further revealed that a private investor is currently constructing a 27-kilometre road valued at about N1 billion to improve access to farming communities in the area, noting that such projects would enhance market access for farmers and create employment opportunities for local youths.
Aiyedatiwa urged residents to avoid confrontations with investors and instead channel grievances through established government institutions.
He advocated a mixed land-use model that allows smallholder farmers and large-scale agribusinesses to coexist, describing both as essential to sustainable agricultural development in Ondo State.
Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA), Emmanuel Omomowo, said the government had been mediating disputes arising from investor concessions within forest reserves.
According to him, Rex Forestry Limited holds a 37,000-hectare concession, but unresolved boundary issues and competing claims from host communities necessitated government intervention.
Omomowo expressed confidence that the governor’s involvement would lead to a fair and lasting resolution that protects community interests while encouraging investment.
Speaking on behalf of farmers, the General Chairman of the Ondo Ilulade Cocoa Farmers Cooperative Society, Chief Philip Akinbanjo, commended the governor for assuring farmers that their cocoa plantations would not be encroached upon and called for continued cooperation among stakeholders.
Also speaking, Rex Forestry’s Special Stakeholders Adviser, Olu Agunloye, said the company had previously agreed with the Ministry of Agriculture to allow farming activities to continue in non-cleared areas within the concession.
He added that the company would comply with the governor’s directive and operate within the framework being developed to ensure peaceful coexistence between investors and farming communities.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Governor Olayide Adelami, Chief of Staff Segun Omojuwa, Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry Leye Akinola, lawmakers, traditional rulers, senior government officials and other stakeholders.
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