Akeredolu, Chinese Firm Flag-off planting of 15million Trees in Ondo, creates 1,000 Jobs

By Rachael Okporu

 

The Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has expressed the desire of his administration to enhance the economic transformation of the state thereby improving the living standards of the citizenry.

 

Akeredolu made this known during the flag-off of the planting of Gmelina Aboree on 10,000 hectares of land under the Ondo State Government /WeWood Limited Afforestation Project which took place at Omotosho in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State.

 

In a statement by his Press Officer, Mr. Boye Akinwumi, Akeredolu said he’s particularly delighted that his resolve to open our doors to Private Public Partnership is yielding profitable results, saying “this singular partnership is worth over ₦20 billion”.

 

 

“Our strong belief is that this project will assist us in combating desertification, encroachment and land degradation, and ultimately reduce poverty by creating Wealth for our people,” the governor said.

 

Arakunrin Akeredolu also decried the influx of encroachers into the state’s reserves and free forests zones which have sent some industries packing.

 

He said the risks and vulnerabilities in the drought, encroachment and desertification of the state needed to be addressed to make the desires of tackling deforestation possible.

 

The governor urged residents to cooperate with the contractors handling the projects with a view to depopulating unemployed youths in the state.

Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, being assisted by the Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde during the flag-off of the trees at Omotoso, Odigbo Local Government Area of the State.

 

In his address the Business Development Manager of WeWood Nigeria Limited, Mr Sun Peng said the State Governor had taken Ondo State beyond the realm of doubts in business partnership to a pedestal of comfort for all investors.

 

Consequent upon this, Mr Sun Peng said he would be facilitating the coming down to Ondo State of investors from his country, China, to come to invest. “We will be meeting with you with about 30 investors who are ready to invest immediately and start work in different types of manufacturing companies”.

 

“This will not only bring about more jobs in Ondo State, but also increase the bilateral relationship between our country China, and Nigeria”, Mr Sung said.

 

While promising to ensure that the partnership is productive to Ondo State Government and WeWood, Mr Sung promised ” to pull all our wealth to bear in this Afforestation Project in such a way that our mutual benefit will not be compromised and we can assure you the incoming generation will forever be grateful to you for this project,” he said.

 

We Wood Nigeria Limited had signed an MOU with the State Government on this project in March for the employment of 1000 unable youths, across the three Senatorial District in the state through production of over 15 Million seedlings of Gmelina Arboree for planting within the 10,000 hectares of land.

 

Arakurin Oluwarotimi Akereddolu, SAN, members of his entourage and royal fathers at the occasion took turn to plant some of the seedlings.

 

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