‘Politicians depriving us of cattle ranch benefits’

Lokoja

An agricultural interest group in Kogi state, Okun Young Farmers Association, has carpeted the Okun political class for “misinforming the public on the laudable initiative of the state government to establish cattle ranches in the state,” saying the group “will continue to explore legal means to attract the project to Okunland.”
Its national president, Comrade Ayodeji Adekola, addressing newsmen after an Executive Council meeting in Kabba on Saturday, said the group had perfected plans to ensure Okun “does not lose out of the bountiful benefits of the programme.”
He said: “It is unfortunate that politicians who have contributed nothing to the development of our profession chose to politicise a project that would have helped our economy in Okunland.
“They misinformed our people that the Fulanis are coming to take their land and wage violence against them. They probably didn’t want it to work because they know it will boost the profile of the state government.
“We feel sad that no Okun local government area made it into the pilot scheme of the project despite having good land that can make it a success. Ajaokuta and Adavi have seized the opportunity with the people voluntarily giving their land for the project.”
Continuing, he said: “We have seen in the paper how those local government areas will become the economic hubs of the state, the jobs, the market, the value-chain and all other accruable benefits.
“We hereby call on the state government to reconsider its stand and allow one Okun local government to benefit from the scheme. Don’t consider the antics of politicians who are against our interests.
“Some politicians will stay in Abuja and be working against our economic interest in Okunland just because of their selfishness. Such must stop in order for us to move forward.”

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