The indigenous people of the host communities of Okitipupa Oil Palm Plc (OOPCL) are demanding that the company vacate their land immediately, as the lease agreement expired 21 years ago, SAVANNAH NEWSNOW REPORTS.
In a press statement issued and jointly signed by Ikale Scholars Arena, they emphasize that OOPCL’s continued occupation and operations on their land since 2004 constitute illegal trespassing.
The communities assert that any structures, improvements, or fixtures made by OOPCL on their land during this period belong to them, the landowners.
They reject OOPCL’s recent attempt to award scholarships to 72 pupils and students from their communities, viewing it as an attempt to buy their silence and divert attention from their illegal occupation.
Communities demand that OOPCL respect their sovereignty over their land, vacate the premises immediately, return all structures, improvements, and fixtures made on their land, and provide adequate compensation for the damages and losses incurred during their illegal occupation.
