Farmers whose lands were affected by the ongoing Ekiti Airport Project on Monday staged a protest at the Governors office Premises in Ado Ekiti the state capital.
The farmers drawn across all the towns and villages of Igbemo, Orun, Afao, ijan, Igbogun, Bolorunduro, Iwajo, Aso and Ago Aduloju comprising of Ado, Irepodun/Ifelodun and Gbonyin local governments respectively.
The aged farmers thronged the Governor’s office to appeal to Governor Abayomi Oyebanji to please come to their aid and pay the compensation promised them by the government.
The protesters converged around 9:00.am with placards with words
The protesters converged around 9:00.am with placards with words
“We are dying of hunger, Oyebanji Please Save Our lives, The Airport Project Took Our livelihood ” amongst others to drive home their requests.
Speaking to Newsmen, Speaking on behalf of the aggrieved farmers, led by High Chief Awe Ojo, who said although the Fayemi led government paid, but pointed out that majority of them have not been paid.
“Fayemi during the inauguration even confirmed that Majority of us have not been paid our entitlements, very few of us received the money promised after the meeting and since then the rest of us have been totally neglected.
“Fayemi promised to pay remaining money but unfortunately we don’t know what happened to it before he left office”
Chief Edemo also maintained that the affected farmers are more in numbers than those that came out today but majority who are old and aged cannot make the tiring journey to Ado Ekiti.
“We are also here on behalf of those old men and women who could not join us today due to their failing health.
“It is not until they die that they should receive what is rightfully theirs, we know Governor Abayomi Oyebanji to be a man with a kind heart and a listening and that is why we are here today to appeal to him to please come to our aid.”
Other members of the affected communities also expressed their hope that the Governor will surely attend to their demands.
Addressing the protesters, the executive secretary, Land and Housing Mr.Adedayo Olajide appealed to the farmers to be calm assuring them that the Governor Mr. Oyebanji is aware of their predicament and ready to attend to their needs.
He also assured the farmers of the state government readiness to ensure the entitlement is paid as soon as possible.
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