Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has inaugurated a 10-member Steering Committee to oversee the implementation of the Framework for Responsible Investment in Land-Intensive Agriculture (FRILIA), a policy initiative aimed at strengthening transparency, sustainability, and fairness in agribusiness land investments across the state.
The committee was inaugurated at Government House, Asaba, on behalf of the Governor by the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, who will also serve as Chairman of the Steering Committee.
Governor Oborevwori, speaking during the event, said the FRILIA framework was conceptualized to enhance the ease of doing business in Delta State, particularly for land-intensive agriculture, which he described as a critical sector for economic diversification and job creation.
He noted that agricultural development remains a top investment priority for the Federal Government, adding that the state’s policy direction is aligned with national objectives for investment growth in the sector.
The Governor stressed that the Steering Committee must ensure transparency in land acquisition and resettlement processes for large-scale agribusiness investments.
He also emphasized the need for the committee to promote inclusive agricultural production models, safeguard landowners from violations of tenure rights, monitor the application of compensation standards, and promote environmental sustainability in the utilization of land for agribusiness investments.
He further stated that the framework seeks to protect legitimate tenure rights holders from dispossession, prevent unfair displacement of communities, and create a balance between investment expansion, land governance, and environmental and social protections.
In separate remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Barrister Val Areyinka, and the Director-General of the Delta State Investment Development Agency (DSIDA), Hon. Anthony Elekeokwuri, disclosed that FRILIA is part of a $750 million World Bank-Assisted programme available to Delta State if effectively implemented.
They explained that the World Bank support is a performance-based financial facility, meaning the state can only access the funding after meeting clearly defined benchmarks and evaluation standards set by the World Bank and its development partners.
Also see: Dangote Drags Ex- NMDPRA Boss to EFCC Over Corruption Claims
The Governor also inaugurated a 20-member Technical Committee to provide expert and technical support to the Steering Committee.
Similarly, a six-member Grievance and Redress Committee, made up of experts in land administration and allocation, was inaugurated to handle complaints, disputes, and redress issues that may arise in the process of land acquisition and allocation for agribusiness investments.
Governor Oborevwori expressed confidence that the committees would strengthen investor trust in Delta’s agribusiness landscape, improve land governance, and unlock international funding opportunities that can accelerate the state’s agricultural development agenda.
The inauguration of the committees forms part of Delta State’s broader strategy to position itself as one of Nigeria’s leading destinations for responsible, sustainable, and investment-ready agriculture.
