Authorities in the Gambela region of Ethiopia are investigating Karuturi Global and other farmland grabbers for criminal activities
▻http://farmlandgrab.org/post/view/22963-authorities-in-the-gambela-region-of-ethiopia-are-investigating-
One of the first and most controversial agricultural land deals was signed with the Bangalore based company Karuturi Global to produce palm oil, cereals and pulses along the Openo (Baro) river. In 2008, Karuturi acquired a 99 year lease for 100,000 ha in Itang and Jokau districts, with an option for a further 200,000 ha if the company succeeded in developing the first lease area. Karuturi has been unable to come close to developing the first 100,000 ha of land, yet nevertheless the company has illegally cleared the entire 300,000 ha, causing serious destruction to locally protected trees, holy sites, and wild animals and destroying local construction materials and blocking water passage routes. The indigenous Anywaa (Anuak) community along the Openo river have been seriously impacted by the increased flooding caused by the company’s farming practices, which destroyed their crops and grazing lands.
The Saudi Star Company, belonging to Saudi business tycoon Al Amoudi, with close ties to the Ethiopian ruling party and former Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, entered into a land deal agreement with the Abwobo (Abobo) district administration in 2009 to develop 10,000 hectares of land for rice production. The contract required that the company contribute to essential infrastructure development in the district. The company, however, has failed to fulfil its infrastructure development obligations.
Another Indian Company, Verdanta Harvests PLC, entered into a land deal agreement in 2010 to develop a tea plantation on 3,012 ha in Godare district. The district contains the densest forest in the Gambela region. Former Ethiopian president, Girma Wolde Giorgious, criticised the deal for not providing sustainable development or protecting the environment.
#corruption #environnement #évasion_fiscales #terres #éthiopie