Oyo State Government Denies Plan to Sell Agodi Fish Farm

The Oyo State Government has denied allegations made by the All Progressives Congress that it plans to sell or transfer the Agodi Government Fish Farm in Ibadan to a private developer. The government described the allegation as false, saying there is no plan to sell, cede or otherwise transfer the facility to any private interest. This denial was made by the governor's Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan on Friday.

The allegation was made by the Oyo State chapter of the APC, claiming that the government planned to cede the fish farm to Baywood Estate, a private housing development near the Agodi Government Secretariat. The opposition party claimed this was part of efforts to expand the estate after the destruction of a conservation forest in the area. Olanrewaju challenged the APC to produce documents or official records to support its allegation.

According to Olanrewaju, the opposition relied on rumours and speculation to create the impression that the government intended to transfer the public asset to private ownership. He stated that since assuming office, Governor Seyi Makinde has demonstrated commitment to the development of the state through strategic investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and economic expansion.

The government spokesman also stated that the administration has consistently pursued policies aimed at preserving, strengthening and optimising public assets for the collective good. He said the opposition's attempt to portray every development initiative as a scheme to appropriate public property only underscores its inability to distinguish between strategic development and the negligence that defined previous administrations.

Olanrewaju added that the Agodi Government Fish Farm remains a valuable public asset, and any matter relating to its operation, management or future development will always be guided by the overriding public interest and in accordance with the law. The facility has a long history, dating back to the early years of fish farming development in Nigeria.

Academic research on aquaculture in Ibadan traces the establishment of the Agodi Government Fish Farm to the mid-1950s, during the colonial era. It was set up as part of efforts to develop fish production in the country and subsequently became a model demonstration farm in collaboration with the University of Ibadan.

The facility has supplied table fish and fish seeds to other states and supported the development of fish farming. The government has challenged the APC to provide evidence to support its claims, but none has been presented. The denial by the government has clarified the situation, emphasizing that the fish farm will not be sold or transferred to private ownership.

Key points

• The Oyo State Government has denied the APC's allegation of planning to sell or transfer the Agodi Government Fish Farm to a private developer.
• The government has stated that it has no plan to dispose of the facility, which is a valuable public asset.
• The Agodi Government Fish Farm has a long history, dating back to the mid-1950s, and has supported the development of fish farming in Nigeria.