Farmers Protest Alleged PRESCO Invasion Of Farmland In Delta

Delta state Tunjja Head Farmers Association yesterday protested against the encroachment and destruction of their crops by PRESCO PLC.

The protesters in their various placard inscription ” PRESCO PLC; for land grabbing; forceful invasion, and destruction of our farmland and crops, Delta/Edo land disputes: We say no to land grabbing, Great farmers, Great Nation, No farmers, No Nation at the state House of Assembly.

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Mr. Oraka Saint Paul, Secretary General Tunjja Head Farmers Association, Delta state who spoke to journalists said the farmer’s Association is comprised of Ukwani Local Government, Ethiope East Local Government and Ethiope West Local Government respectively, decided to protest peacefully to the state Assembly to let their grievances known.

He said some people from Edo state are laying claim that Edo state government gave them right of occupancy for the land they have been farming on for the past ten decades and their crops worth billions of Naira have been destroyed and budozed.

“We are farmers, and stakeholders farming activities, we are here because we are seeing some marroma play within our area of farms, presently, some people came all the way from Edo state, telling us that Edo state government gave them right of occupancy for the land we have been using for the past ten decades”.

“As we speak, all our crops worth billions of naira have been destroyed while this people take over our land with bulldozer destroying our crops and they are planting same crops that we have been planting”.

He said if Government and State House of Assembly did not intervene, there will be hunger within the vicinity, and price of goods will get to soar.

He said “we came to let the state Assembly in other to let them know because we believe some people have been keeping silent over this matter, and they are the ones who represent our interest, we are suffering; farming is our means of livelihood, and without farmers, no nation”.

“We are here to dine here, plant here until reasonable and concrete decision is taken, we are giving the state government 48 hours. Delta state government and the House of Assembly feel reluctant as if nothing is going on, even Delta state judiciary is working against us.”

He said the Association has written several letters to Delta state Governor, Delta state House of Assembly Speaker, Delta state Attorney General, and the local government chairmen of the affected areas but no response has come from them.

He alleged that the chairman of Ukwuani local government area issued a threat to deal with them if they go further with the matter.

While appealing for calm, SSA to Deputy speaker, Delta state House of Assembly, Pastor Ifeanyi Chuku, said, the Hon. Speaker and members of the Assembly are currently out of the state, saying Delta state is a peaceful state, and Mr. Speaker who is the incoming Governor will ensure that the matter is resolved and Delta government will not allow anyone take anything that belongs to them.