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See Reasons Why Nasarawa Assembly Suspends Acquisition of 10,000 Hectares for Sugar Processing

Published by Tope Fakinlede on September 26th, 2024.

See Reasons Why Nasarawa Assembly Suspends Acquisition of 10,000 Hectares for Sugar Processing

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly’s joint committee on land, public complaints, petitions, and security has requested the state government to pause the proposed acquisition of 10,000 hectares of land by SaroAfrica International Limited intended for sugar processing.

During a meeting held on Wednesday in Lafia, committee chairman Emmanuel Manding emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into the land acquisition claims. Representatives from the Ministry of Land and Urban Development, Nasarawa Investment and Development Agency (NASIDA), local community leaders, and the Nasarawa Geographic Information Service (NAGIS) were present.

Manding highlighted that the meeting’s objective was to collect comprehensive information regarding the acquisition and urged all stakeholders to submit relevant documents to aid the investigation.

Co-chair of the joint committee, Luka Iliya Zhekaba, who also leads the House committee on public complaints, reiterated the call for a suspension of the land acquisition until the investigation is complete. He stated that the Ministry of Land, NASIDA, and other relevant parties should refrain from any actions until the committee concludes its findings.

The issue was initially raised on September 24 by Ibrahim Abubakar, the representative from Agbashi Ekye Development Area, prompting extensive discussions among committee members. Following these deliberations, a resolution was made for the joint committee to conduct an inquiry and invite all stakeholders involved.