Edo summons DELT-R Mills over abandoned Agbede/Warrake farmlands

Edo State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources has summoned the management of DELT-R Mills Limited over the alleged abandonment of 3,900 hectares of Agbede/Warrake farmlands sold to it by the state government for farming purpose.

BusinessDay reports that the 3,900 hectares was sold at the sum of N3 million in 1982.

Abdul Oroh, state commissioner for agriculture and natural resources, who gave the hint during a working visit to Agbede/Warrake farms, said the management of the company abandoned the project for over 22 years.

Oroh also disclosed that the state government had a drafted memorandum of understanding (Mou) with the milling firm to bring in machines to commence cultivation and processing of crops, saying immediately after the MoU was drafted the management of the company absconded and never shown up, except about last month.

The management of the company allegedly made away with about 12 tractors, nine harvesters and other equipment, the commissioner disclosed.

The commissioner, who was accompanied on the visit by AbdulRazak Momoh, the lawmaker representing Etsako West Constituency 1, in the state House of Assembly, added that the management of the firm embarked on the construction of the road leading to the farm without the knowledge of the people of the community.

According to him, the state government had a drafted MoU with the management of the company and immediately after the MoU they demanded financial assistance from the state government, which was impossible.

IDRIS UMAR MOMOH, Benin