Deal #4555

Names of communities / indigenous peoples affected

Name of community

Gbelebu,

Safargbo,

Okomu,

Oweike,

Maikolo

How did the community react?

Community reaction

Rejection

Comment on community reaction

"protesters also accused the Edo State Government of selling their farmlands to the company".

Presence of land conflicts

Yes

Negative impacts for local communities

Environmental degradation, Socio-economic, Eviction, Displacement, Violence

Comment on negative impacts for local communities

The Bolloré Groups accused of corruption and, through a subsidiary, of grabbing land. On repeated occasions, local communities have been victims of violence, threats and arbitrary arrests. The company has been embroiled in disputes over land ownership and its use of military forces for the protection of its plantations and environs. Okomu’s plantation borders the Okomu National park, a major habitat to leopards, chimpanzees and elephant. The company has been accused of violating the rights of the host community, including locking them out citizens, harassing outspoken members of the community with security agencies, and seizing land. The company denies wrongdoings.

Presence of organizations and actions taken (e.g. farmer organizations, NGOs, etc.)

Host communities have undertaken peaceful protests several times- the last time was to protest about the water pollution from the agro-chemicals that the company is using and also they accused the company of positioning fierce military men on the only road that linked them to Udo, a neighbouring community. On May 24, 2021, 40 organizations from 16 countries called on the UN to end all business relationships with the Bolloré Group and its subsidiaries. The UN has not responded to the petition, nor to the Oakland Institute's recent letter dated November 11, 2021.