DELTA State Government, through the Oil Palm Company (OPC), has remitted N24million as oil palm remittances to Nsukwa Community in Aniocha South Local Government Area.
Presenting the cheque to Nsukwa community representatives in Asaba, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Godfrey Enita, said that the oil palm remittance represented a backlog of rent from 2017 to 2021.
The commissioner said that the remittance represented part of the state government’s efforts to revamp oil palm production and utilization in the state, adding that the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration has ensured that peace reigned between oil palm companies and their host communities throughout the state.
He said, ‘’the prevalence of peace and harmony is geared towards stimulating growth and development in the oil palm industry to create wealth for our farmers and jobs for our teeming youths’’.
‘’Governor Okowa has done so much to ensure that palm oil production in the state regained its past glory through the provision of palm oil seedlings to smallholder farmers across the state and his encouragement of large-scale oil palm production in the state.
‘’The governor is passionate about oil palm production in the state because of its value and the multiplier effects in terms of job and wealth creation.
“However, the government could not have achieved all of these without your (Nsukwa) cooperation for being peaceful in your community’’ he said.
Dr. Enita also recognized the efforts of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Chief Edwin Uzor in averting a crisis in the Nsukwa Community due to the backlog of rent among other issues.
Responding, a chief of the Nsukwa community, Bar Emeka Okofu who represented the Obi of Nsukwa, HRM Kenneth Ezegbunam, commended the state government for the remittance and the peaceful resolution of disputes in the community.
Likewise, the representative of IMC Plantations Limited, Mr. Sabastian Olomu, stressed the importance of the amicable resolution of disputes and remittance, even as he appreciated all stakeholders including its parent company, OPC and the state government for providing an environment for the company to thrive.
