Akeredolu’s Family Refutes Allegations Of Tractor Sale

The family of the late former governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has refuted claims that he 30 state-owned tractors, describing the allegation as wicked and mischievous.

Osun Defender reported that the state Commissioner for Agriculture Olayato Aribo, alleged that the former governor sold the 30 tractors to private companies and individuals at subsidised rates.

On Friday, Aribo at a press conference in Akure, the state capital, lamented that the state has no functional tractor to aid food production in the state.

Responding to the allegations, the former spokesperson to the late governor, Richard Olatunde, in a statement issued in Akure, said that “the insinuation that Akeredolu sold off government tractors is wicked and mischievous.

Olatunde, on behalf of the Akeredolu’s family said that ” It is a deliberate attempt to soil the name of a man whose impeccable service to the state was borne out of passion and courage.

The statement reads ” The news report, which was wrapped in mischief and cruelty, suggested that the late Governor sold government tractors at his own will.

According to him, “The insinuation that farmers in the state have no tractor to plough their land further complicated the news story to paint the late governor in a bad light.

READ: Akeredolu Sold Ondo Tractors To Privates – Govt

“Although, we understand that the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Aribo, has called the former Senior Special Assistant to the late Governor Akeredolu on Agriculture and Agric Business, Pastor Akin Olotu and denied the story.

“According to Pastor Olotu, Mr. Aribo unequivocally stated that he was quoted out of context and that he couldn’t have made such statement when he is in possession of the list of beneficiaries of the said tractors.

“That notwithstanding, this response becomes necessary in light of the compelling need to inform the good members of the public who may be easily deceived.

“The facts, therefore, are; “That in line with the Agricultural Equipment Hiring Entrepreneurship Scheme (AEHES) which was put in place by the President of the Africa Development Bank ( AFDB) Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, when he was minister for Agriculture, the Ondo State Government under the late Governor Akeredolu procured some tractors for the use of farmers in the state by selling it to them at subsidised rate and payment spread over a period of time.

Olatunde said that “The scheme was designed to turn farm mechanisation into business. It was aimed to develop the farm mechanisation link of the Agricultural value chain.

“The target is for beneficiaries to help others in adjoining farms. Most beneficiaries, after clearing their own farms would hire to adjoining farms. The proceed goes directly to the farmers and the program was a success.

According to him “The scheme was aimed to put an end to the constant breakdown and abandonment of tractors bought by successive governments and put in charge of local government administrators.

The poor maintenance culture and the nonchalant attitude of the people to government-owned properties have accounted for the breakdown and neglect of many tractors in the past.

“In a bid to ensure sustainability and maintenance, the government thought it wise to place ownership in the hands of the farmers.

“The beneficiaries of these tractors bought the equipment and spread payment over a period of time. Their C of Os were submitted as collateral.

“Mr. Olayato Aribo was not the Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources when this scheme was initiated and consummated.

“These tractors were procured during the first term of the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu. Asiwaju Adegboyega Adefarati, who is now the Honorable Member of House of Representatives, representing the good people of Akoko Southwest/ Southeast Federal Constituency was the commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources then. He worked round the clock to ensure that the scheme, particularly the procurement of the tractors became a reality.

“That throughout the scheme, the late Governor didn’t interfere on who the beneficiaries should be except for the case of Chief Olu Falae, who owns Midland Farms.

“The late Governor personally called and said Chief Olu Falae should benefit from the subsidised tractors. All the beneficiaries are farmers in the state. They are traceable and verifiable.

Olatunde added that ” The first batch of the tractors were purchased from John Deere Tractor. After some beneficiaries paid outrightly, another batch was purchased from Dizengoff Nigeria.

He therefore ‘urged government officials to be accurate in their statements and accounts of events as they relate to the late Governor Akeredolu administration.