Ekiti Airport Project: Farmers Protest over non Payment of Compensation

In the early hours of Thursday, some farmers in Ekiti State protested over the failure of the Kayode Fayemi-government to compensate them for their lands and farm produce destroyed used for building the Ekiti Cargo Airport.

The protester numbering about 150 took to the major road leading to the Ekiti Cargo Airport on the outskirts of Ado Ekiti.

The farmers used iron bars, and big sticks to barricade the road and made a bonfire to show their grievances.

According to the report, as early as 6:00 am the protesters in their numbers blocked the Ago Aduloju road leading to their airport and later the major road linking Ado and Ikare Akoko of Ondo state.

The visibly angry farmers accused the Fayemi government of shortchanging them and depriving them of their rights and entitlements.

Remember that the agitation started in February 2022, when some old men and women who were original land and farm owners complained bitterly that their lands and farm produce were destroyed to pave way for the airport.

The leader of the farmers, Mr Peter Ishola said they have written to the Governor, and House of Assembly and even stage a walk to the Secretariat to plead with the state governor to no avail.

The trucks conveying the workers to the site were stopped at Ago Aduloju and denied entry.

Some of the workers who tried to walk down to the site were also stopped while traffic built up down to the Ogbese bridge as commuters were seen turning back.

One of the Chinese contractors who came in the company of some soldiers guarding the airport tried his best to calm the farmers but his efforts proved abortive.

Newsflash Nigeria had earlier reported that State Governor, Kayode Fayemi assured the people of the state that the International Cargo Airport under construction will be completed before the expiration of his tenure on October 15, 2022.

Fayemi gave the assurance during a tour of the airport and other projects in Ado- Ekiti, the state capital.

The governor expressed delight at the level of work done at the airport, saying he is confident that the project would be delivered before he leaves office.

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