Akeredolu did not sell state tractors, family tells Ondo govt

The family of the late ex-Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has described as untrue the stance of the state government that the former governor sold out existing tractors in the state.

According to the family, in a statement through the former spokesperson of the late governor, Richard Olatunde, the tractors were procured by Akeredolu under the Agricultural Equipment Hiring Entrepreneurship Scheme (AEHES) and subsidised to farmers to boost mechanised farming and agribusiness in the state.

The Commissioner for Agriculture in the state, Olayato Aribo, had a few days ago alleged that of the 30 tractors owned by the state, only one was remaining, stating that they were sold out to private individuals.

While urging government officials to be accurate in their statements and accounts of events as they relate to the late Akeredolu’s administration, the late governor’s spokesperson stated that the scheme was aimed at putting an end to the constant breakdown and abandonment of tractors bought by successive governments.

He said, “We have been inundated with calls and messages over a news story credited to the Commissioner for Agriculture in Ondo State, Mr. Olayato Aribo. The Commissioner was quoted to have said that the late Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, sold government tractors to private companies and individuals at subsidised rates.

“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 them to them at a subsidised rate and payment spread over a period of time.

“The scheme was designed to turn farm mechanisation into business. It was aimed at developing the farm mechanisation link of the agricultural value chain. The target is for beneficiaries to help others on adjoining farms. Most beneficiaries, after clearing their own farms, would hire to adjoining farms. The proceeds go directly to the farmers, and the program was a success.

“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 toward 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 Honourable Member of the House of Representatives, representing the good people of Akoko Southwest/Southern 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.

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

“In view of this, the insinuation that Akeredolu sold off government tractors is wicked and mischievous. 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.”