As part of efforts to unlock the economic potential of the State in agribusiness, the Ogun State Government, through its Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) has engaged stakeholders in the implementation of a policy for fair land acquisition and utilisation.

Speaking at the forum in Abeokuta, the Programme Coordinator, OGSTEP, Mrs. Mosunmola Owo-Odunsi, revealed that the policy tagged: Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land-intensive Agricultural Investments (FRILIA) was formulated to foster fairness for communities, investors, government among other stakeholders involved in land-based agricultural investments.

Owo-Odunsi, represented by the Technical and Vocational Educational Training (TVET) Specialist, Mr. Eyo Unyimeabasi, said land was key to agricultural business, while a comprehensive approach should be put in place to ensure its acquisition and allocation.

The Programme Coordinator added that FRILIA would make investments in the agriculture sector to be transparent and consistent, as well as bring about poverty reduction, food security and job creation.

Contributing, Commissioner for Rural Development, Mr. Jamiu Odetoogun, expressed optimism that the programme would impact positively on the lives of rural dwellers and boost their economic value.

In his goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Dotun Sorunke, represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Alhaji Suraj Fashola, said the State government was committed to implementing FRILIA to create enabling environment for investors to flourish, without prejudice to the livelihood of stakeholders.

While speaking in an interview, the Project Manager, OGSTEP Agric, Dr. Oluseyi Olugbire, disclosed that Ogun was the first State in the Southern part of the country to implement FRILIA, saying the framework was to ensure that all stakeholders in the agriculture value-chain have a buy-in of land utilisation, to enable investors take advantage of expanse of arable land for the socio-economic development of the State.

One of the participants, the Chairman, Abeokuta North Local Government, Prince Adebayo Ayorinde, said the document would bring about a structured arrangement between community land owners, investors and the government, to promote mutual relationships in land acquisition process for the benefit of all.