The Nasarawa State House of Assembly joint committee on land and public complaints, petitions, and security has urged the state government to suspend the proposed acquisition of 10,000 hectares of land by SaroAfrica International Limited for processing of the sugar value chain.

Emmanuel Manding, chairman of the joint committee, stated this at a meeting with the ministry of land and urban development and the Nasarawa Investment and Development Agency (NASIDA) on Wednesday in Lafia.

Others present included the management of Ekye Development Area and other community leaders, as well as the Nasarawa Geographic Information Service (NAGIS).

Mr Manding said that the invitation extended to them was to gather information on the alleged acquisition of 10,000 hectares of land in the area by the state government.

He urged them to provide the committee with all the necessary information that would assist in its assignment.

Luka Iliya Zhekaba, the co-chairman of the joint committee and chairman of the House committee on public complaints, petitions, and security, also called for the suspension of the acquisition of the land until the committee’s investigation is concluded.

“We have asked the Ministry of Land, NASIDA, and all those involved or concerned to stay off until the conclusion of our investigation, and we will submit our reports to the House.

“It was on Monday, Sept. 24, that a matter of public interest regarding the alleged acquisition of 10,000 hectares of land in Agbashi Ekye Development Area was raised by their representative, Mr Ibrahim Abubakar.

“After extensive deliberation by members, a resolution was reached, and the Speaker has directed the joint committee to investigate the matter by inviting all those concerned; hence the need for the invitation.

“In the course of our findings, we were made to understand that they are still in the process of acquiring the land,” he said.

Mr Zhekaba said that the livelihood of the people of Agbashi is farming, and if this land is sold, “where will they go to farm and feed their families and pay the school fees of their children?”

Members of the committee who spoke against the issue said that they would only support anything that would bring development to the state.

They recalled how the people of Awe, Toto, among others, became slaves in their own land, as well as begging investors for land to farm.

On his part, Ibrahim Mulki, the state commissioner for land, said that the state government, through the ministry, has not acquired any land in Agbashi, Ekye Development Area, or local government area.

He said that on Dec. 8, 2021, the ministry received a letter from NASIDA requesting the identification and allocation of suitable land of about 10,000 hectares for the development of the sugarcane value chain by SaroAfrica International Limited.

“This request by NASIDA was done after due diligence on the company, which discovered that the company planned to invest N20 billion in the processing value chain, with targeted sugar production of 200,000 metric tons per annum,” he said.

The commissioner told the committee that the ministry held a meeting with traditional rulers and other stakeholders on the proposed site. He mentioned that a sample of the said land was collected on Sept. 17 for testing.

Mr Mulki said that no acquisition can take place without the consent of the community.

“We are mindful of this and are very determined to ensure that all acquisitions are made in line with global best practices and in the interest of local communities,” he said.

Bello Akoza, the overseer of Ekye Development Area, and Louis Azige of NASIDA, representing the NASIDA managing director, acknowledged approval from the governor for the acquisition of the said land.

They stated that several meetings were held with traditional rulers and other critical stakeholders of the community regarding the acquisition of the land.

On his part, Danchor Elisha, head of NAGIS, Lafia office, said the agency has no knowledge of the said land acquisition and has not received any communication from the state government to that effect.

(NAN)