World Bank partners Ogun State Government To Access …

 By Tolulope Oke

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, disclosed that the state has entered into a partnership with the World Bank to encourage equitable access to their agricultural land.

Abiodun stated the collaboration, which would operate under a policy known as the “Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land-Intensive Agricultural Investments,” would guarantee equitable opportunities for all land users in the state, including investors and local people.

Abiodun, who was represented by Jamiu Odetoyinbo, Commissioner for Rural Development, claimed that the framework will increase the financial benefit of acquiring and allocating land for agricultural uses, Punch reported.

Odetoyinbo said, “The first point is the economic value of the rural area in terms of agriculture.

“The impact of the programme is going to go a long way in helping the lives and economic status of rural settlers.”

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He noted that the Ogun State Economic Transportation Project, a World Bank-supported project, had established the policy and that it was also based on global accords on responsible land-based investment.

The OGSTEP Agriculture Sector, Project Manager, Dr Oluseyi Olugbire, while unveiling FRILLA at a stakeholders engagement forum, noted that the framework would allow for fairness in land utilisation to both communities, investors and government.

She said the objective of FRILIA was to create an enabling environment for investments and improve investor confidence, mitigating conflicts arising in competing claims on land allocated to investors.

“This is to ensure fairness on the part of the investor, the communities and the government.”

Earlier in his presentation, a FRILIA specialist, Oladipupo Sofowora, noted that the framework would facilitate sustainable economic development and growth rooted in environmental and social stability.