A group under the aegis of the Ondo Reform Vanguard has raised the alarm over illegal sales of government-reserved lands in the state.
The Convener of the group, Hon. Israel Aladesuyi, subsequently called on the state government to investigate the ongoing irregularities and fraud occurring on some of the state government’s reserved lands.
Aladesuyi in a statement signed by him and the Publicity Secretary of the group Olabode Okeowo, described the development as absurd, illegal, and fraudulent.
According to the group, officials of a company have been moving around the farms distributing formation farmers, claiming to be working for the Ministry of Agriculture.
They explained that the said officials have been demanding a certain amount from the farmers for registration for the unauthorized forms, saying the process is fraudulent and illegal.
The group expressed surprise that the self-acclaimed consultant is now distributing forms and collecting money from illegal occupants of the reserved areas.
It would recalled, that the Ondo State government, during the administration of the late Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu had signed a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU with some foreign investors, involving a certain renewable amount which has not expired.
The statement added, “Receiving unauthorised fees from occupants of reserves is tantamount to double taxation, which the Ondo State Internal Revenue Service and the Ministry of Agriculture need to investigate.”
The group, however, urged the state Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa to set up a panel to investigate the illegal occupants of the government reserves.
They also asked the state government to identify the consultant carrying out the fraudulent acts and collecting revenue without the government’s knowledge.