"Farmers kick over alleged land grab by Cross River, seek N500m compensation"

The allocation of land by the Cross River government to a South African firm for a massive agriculture project has pitched the Governor Ben Ayade administration against over 400 farmers from Ochon settlement in Obubra Local Council of the state.Bulldozers and other tools were last weekend mobilised at the vast land currently being cultivated by the locals. But the farmers had last Wednesday protested against the move, insisting that the government should pay them N500 million as compensation for their crops. A retired head teacher and spokesman for the protesting farmers, Mr. Elemi Odey, disclosed the position of his colleagues.The Village Head of Ochon, Chief Felix Igbang, stated: “Yes, government actually came to inform us that they want to use the land for a factory, and they have promised to compensate affected farmers.”

An environmentalist and Programme Coordinator of a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Wise Administration of Terrestrial Environment and Resources (WATER), Chief Edwin Ogar, said: “Government is majorly responsible for the development of the society,” adding: “The destruction of food crops in Basin Farm in Ochon community by the same administration for the establishment of an agro-feed industry has further impoverished the farmers who have totally lost their sources of livelihood and food...Barely two months and half after the farmers cultivated the land, it became a sorry sight when two bulldozers started clearing their premature crops without an informed consent or even assessment and payment of compensation by the government prior to the destruction of the crops of these poor farmers. This is abuse of rights to life and food by the same government they voted into power.”