[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Ogun State Government has strongly refuted media reports suggesting that the rice project launched by Governor Dapo Abiodun at Magboro in Obafemi Owode Local Government belongs to a private businessman, Alhaji Bello Zabarmawa.
Also read: Farmer allegedly refutes Gov. Abiodun’s claims on 200-hectare rice plantation
In a statement released by Hon. Kayode Akinmade, Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Strategy, the government labelled the report as misleading and devoid of logical presentation, accusing a Nigerian newspaper, PM News, of deliberate misrepresentation.
Akinmade clarified that the 200-hectare rice farm is part of the Ogun State Economic Transformation Project (OGSTEP) and involves 200 farmers, with significant support from the Ogun State Government and the World Bank.
The initiative aims to boost local rice production and economic growth for smallholder farmers across the state. He further emphasised that the state contributed 65% of the farm’s production costs, while the farmers contributed 35%.
“The report by PM News is not only biased but also a gross misrepresentation of facts. Governor Abiodun has always praised the farmers and initiators of the rice project and never claimed ownership,” Akinmade said.
Governor Dapo Abiodun had earlier flagged off the harvest of the farm in August 2024, expressing his enthusiasm for scaling up the project from 200 to 2,000 hectares.
Akinmade reiterated that this is part of the government’s efforts under the ISEYA mantra to ensure food security and economic growth.
The Ogun State Government remains committed to supporting agribusinesses and has successfully implemented several other agricultural projects, benefitting over 30,000 farmers across the state.
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