…ODSG flags off planting of Teak/Gmelina seedlings under PPP with West-Africa Forest Plantations Ltd at the State Afforestation Project site, Onipetesi junction, Lagos-Benin Expressway, Ondo State. (Photos ATTACHED)
NigeriaNews.Ca
The Governor made this known in Akure during the flag-off ceremony of the Planting of Teak/Gmelina seedlings by the privately owned West-Africa Forest Plantations Limited at the State Afforestation Project site, Onipetesi junction, Lagos-Benin Expressway, Ondo State.
Akeredolu insisted that the forestry sector must change for the better while it would no longer be business as usual for all encroachers and illegal loggers stressing they will not find it easy any longer.
He added that the need to privatise Ondo State Afforestation project becomes inevitable in order to avert dire consequences for the environment.
“The vast devastation, occasioned by flitching, encroachment and other vices, currently going on in the Project, has become unbearable to our Administration. We are determined to put a stop to this unpatriotic act.
“We have decided to engage two Private investors WeWood Ltd, (10,000 hectares) and West Africa Forest Plantation Ltd, for the Afforestation Project. We have also granted 10,000 hectares and 220,000 hectares, respectively, for the purposes of; Gmelina/Teak development, Pulp and Paper manufacturing, Integrated Agricultural food production and fish farming, employment generation, Wood processing and furniture production amongst others”, he stressed.
Akeredolu who further stated that his administration cannot continue to fold its hands and allow “our commonwealth (forest resources) to be destroyed by encroachers, flitchers, illegal loggers and Indian hemp planters, stated that It is distressing to note that the Ondo State Afforestation Project, which used to be a centre of attraction for both local and foreign interest groups, is in a sorry state.
According to him, “measures are already in place to ensure the success of the PPP arrangements with Wewood Ltd and West-Africa Forest Plantations Ltd.
“I, therefore, urge all stakeholders, particularly, our royal fathers, community leaders, and youths to cooperate fully with these investors who are in Nigeria to revitalize our devastated forests for greater productivity for the use of our people,” he said.
Earlier, Chairman of West African Forest Plantation Limited, Mr Rodrick Roy had assured that the company will generate over two thousand job opportunities for the teeming youths in the state.
He also expressed his company’s readiness to provide functional health centres, as well as embark on several social responsibility projects in the host communities.
PhotoNews:
Arakunrin Akeredolu, receiving a copy of MoU from Chairman, West Africa Forest Plantation, Mr Roderick Roy (L) (Photo: Abayomi Adefolalu)
From Left: Commissioner for Information, Mr Yemi Olowolabi, Hon Fasogbon and Mr Badmus
Caretaker Chairman, Odigbo Local Government, Prince George Adenikinju (L) and his counterpart for Okitipupa Local Government, Mrs Morenike Alaka
From Left: Ajobu of Araromi Obu, Oba Aderemi Adelola, Orunja of Odigbo, Oba Rufus Akinrinmade and Oworofun of Lapahun, Oba Solomon Adesanya
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), planting a Tree, during a programme in collaboration with West Africa Forest Plantation . With him are: Commissioner for Natural Resources, Mr Rasheed Badmus (L) and ODHA Member and Chairman, Committee on Agriculture, Hon Akin Fasogbon at Onipetesi, Ore -Sagamu Express way, Ondo State
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), has reiterated his administration’s determination to reposition the forestry sector for greater productivity and accountability in Ondo State.