NGO cautions govt over planned Egyptian investment in state

Nathan Tamarapreye, Bayelsa

The Ecological Think Tank, Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) has called for caution over the planned investment by the Egyptian government in Ogun Agro Processing Zone.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Dr Nnimmo Bassey, Director of HOMEF said: “This plan could harshly affect the access to farmland and the livelihoods of the citizens of Ogun State.

“It may simply turn out to be a massive land grab and will subvert the achievement of food security in Nigeria.

“It is unacceptable that our agricultural land should be taken up in this manner to plant crops, process the product, and export the proceeds back to Egypt.

“It is colonial in conception and will definitely undermine the local economy of the people.

“This investment is about turning our farmers into farmhands and making them become cheap disposable labour to produce food for Egypt while we continue to depend largely on food imports”.

The statement was signed by Miss Kome Odhomor Media/Communication Lead at HOMEF and made available to newsmen in Yenagoa.

According to the statement, HOMEF’s Programmes Director and Lead on Hunger Politics, Joyce Brown warns against the practice of monocropping.

She said the practice has profound implications for biodiversity, nutritional diversity, soil fertility and, the economic wellbeing of the people.

“It is clear that the proposed investment by the government of Egypt prioritises monoculture and export-oriented production at the expense of local food needs.

“This negates efforts at improving Nigeria’s food security. This can fuel economic dependency and volatility,” Brown said.

HOMEF also frowned at the forceful uptake, transfer and redistribution of lands to foreign speculators by state governments under the guise of addressing food insecurity.

The group noted that land is central to indigenous culture and economy, well-being and is key to a rich tapestry of human experience.

This is in addition to land providing a sense of identity, belonging, and meaning to individuals and communities alike.

“It is important to recognize and respect these interconnections not only for food security but for fostering cultural diversity, preserving ecosystems, and promoting sustainable practices that honour both the land and the cultural practices associated with it.

“The best investments in Agriculture at this time will be such that priorities local food needs and should be hinged on collaboration with farmers.

“Promote biodiversity, build our ecosystems, cool the planet and assure food sovereignty/food security,” HOMEF stated.