Akure – Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, on Tuesday, assured that his administration would enhance the economic transformation of the state and improve the living standards of the people.
Akeredolu made this promise at the inauguration of 10,000 hectares’ Ondo State Government (ODSG)/WeWood Limited afforestation project, at Omotosho in Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state.
He said that the risks and vulnerabilities in the drought, encroachment and desertification of the state needed to be addressed to tackle deforestation.
“I am particularly delighted that our resolve to open our doors to private public partnership is yielding profitable results. 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,” he said.
Akeredolu also decried the influx of encroachers in the state’s reserves and free forests, which had sent some industries packing.
The governor urged the residents to cooperate with contractors handling the projects in order to reduce the number of unemployed youths in the state.
Earlier, Mr Sun Peng,the Business Development Manager, WeWood Limited, said that since the emergence of Akeredolu administration, the company and the state had become dependable partners of progress.
“We will be meeting with you with no fewer than 30 investors, who are ready to invest immediately and start work in different areas of manufacturing companies.
“This will not only bring about more jobs in the state, but also increase the bilateral relationship between our country China and Nigeria.
“As it is now, we go as far as Ekiti State to get raw materials. If you have not approved this project, our company would have relocated in less than a year with all the factories in our line of business.
“We promise to pull all our wealth to bear in this project, such that our mutual benefit will not be compromised and we can assure you that the incoming generation will forever be grateful,” he said.
Peng explained that the company was into the production of High Density Fibre (HDF), Marine board and Plywood, which at present allowed the employment of more than 600 workers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on April 14, on reviving the state afforestation project.
The MoU is aimed at establishing nursery facilities and plant as well as maintain a Gmelina Aborea plantation at the Afforestation site in Omotosho. (NAN)