Landowners against project agreement

THE developers of Central Cement and Lime Project are trying to tie Kido and Rearea landowners to Central Cement and Lime Project as part of their co-development of the special economic zone (SEZ) as a single agreement.
They are two separate entities with their own terms and conditions and each one must be assessed on its own merit and dealt with separately.
They should not be incorporated into a single agreement and enforced on landowners.
The SEZ was established without the prior consent and proper consultation from Kido, Rearea villages and the surrounding communities.
The terms of reference (TOR) for SEZ are undisclosed.
The TOR of SEZ needs to be clarified, what’s the purpose and composition, boundary areas covered, so that the landowners make sound decisions regarding their customary lands. Customary land issues are sensitive issues and the landowners have been ill-advised to convert their customary lands to state leases.
There are better options available other than state leases which will benefit both the developer and customary landowners.
Note, state lease is only for the land under lease and does not include the off-shore areas.
Under the state lease, the developer has full control of the land.
All future developments and benefits in the areas under lease will be at the expense of the landowners in guise of the SEZ.
Landowners must be mindful not to be coerced into submitting to any agreement without proper check and balance.
Otherwise, it is unethical and unconstitutional to deny the basic rights of the landowners.
Rearea landowners and leaders have submitted a written objection to Central Cement and Lime Project and SEZ to the government departments, agencies and the developer and the document still stands.

Mangrove Man