Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State, on Tuesday expressed sadness over the fire outbreak that burnt the farm owned by former President Olusegun Obasanjo at Howe, Gwer Local Government Area, Benue State. Governor Ortom in a statement by his chief press secretary, Nathaniel Ikyur, expressed sadness, ordering thorough investigation “to unravel the remote and immediate cause of the fire outbreak”.
The governor acknowledged being briefed by the Gwer local council chairman, directing that where it is found that the fire was an act of sabotage, the perpetrators must be brought to book. Ortom maintained that no act of sabotage will be tolerated in the state. He declared that his government has a deliberate policy to encourage local and foreign investors, especially in Agriculture. He ordered security operatives in the state to do all that is necessary to get to the root of the matter forthwith.
Ortom declared: “it is the height of irresponsibility for anyone to think of setting ablaze a farm that is set to, in a very near future, boost the economic development of the area in particular and state in general.
“Obasanjo as a former president is a statesman and need to be accorded his due respect anywhere in Nigeria and Benue State cannot be an exception.”
Chairman of the local council briefed the governor that over half of the mango farm on over 139 hectares of land was burnt, saying that four suspects have been arrested and more are being trailed. He said that the fire is suspected to be caused by mischief makers. According to him, “from the look of things, the fire was caused by the deliberate act of mischief makers.
“The farm is well safeguarded, there is no way fire can cross over from any quarter into the farm.”
Meanwhile, former President Obasanjo made huge investments in agricultural, setting up farm settlements in several states of the country.