Ondo Government hails Outstanding Performance of Agric Concessionaires

 Ondo Government hails Outstanding Performance of Agric Concessionaires

...reiterates commitment towards forest regeneration and optimal utilization

Ondo State Government has commended Rex Forestry Ltd, Sul-Wood, and Blue Sky companies for their exceptional performance on projects located in the afforestation area of the State, specifically in the generation, planning, harvesting, and processing of trees in Lisagbede, Odigbo local government area.

The Permanent Secretary, Forestry/Produce Sub-Sector of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Chief Segun Odusanya, lauded the companies during a working visit to the afforestation project site, for an on-the-spot assessment.

Chief Odusanya who was accompanied by officials of the Ministry described Rex Forestry as a company with the requisite expertise and investment prowess in the wood processing business, noting that the level of work done was tremendous.

The Permanent Secretary who also acknowledged the company's efforts at engaging the community dwellers en masse assured that the government will continue to provide enabling business and political environment, while urging it to compliance with regulations. He also charged the company to maximize the utilization of the 37.226 hectares of land conceded to them for the benefit of all stakeholders.

The Permanent Secretary urged the company to engage in more corporate social responsibility within the host communities and the State, in general. He assured them that all challenges would be resolved amicably through dialogue with farmers in areas where there are encroachments.

Chief Odusanya explained that the farmers had encroached into the forest to plant cash crops, but the government had conceded the area to investors for economic use, regeneration, and research purposes, including a research center for students.

In his welcome address, the Managing Director of Rex Forestry Ltd, Mr. Vincent Servais, said Rex is a commercial forestry company and part of a vertically integrated business. Its objectives include the sustainable establishment and management of plantations for the production and supply of veneer logs for plywood to its sister company, Sol-wood.

Mr. Servais hinted that production would commence by September 2025, as all necessary arrangements are in place.

He hinted that  the company would employ over 700 people very soon, stressing  that they have established Gmelina, Arborea, Eucalyptus, and Acacia Mangium plantations, with plans to diversify species in the future.

The Managing Director noted that Rex Forestry obtained a concession of 37.226 hectares and signed an agreement valid for 50 years renewable period with the government on August 7, 2021. He added  that over 10,000 hectares have been planted with trees, and the company is currently nursing over 100 million exotic seedlings for future planting.

He, therefore, solicited government support to address the issue of encroachment on areas conceded to the company, stressing that activities of encroaches which include farming and illegal felling of planted logs has been a major bane of development.

He advocated for dialogue and mutual understanding to resolve these issues without resorting to force.