Ogun agro-forestry projects ‘ll create job opportunities – Commissioner

The Ogun State Government has disclosed its plans to embark on Agro-Forestry and Forest Landscape Restriction Project with the aim of creating employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths.    

Commissioner for Forestry, Mr. Kolawole Lawal disclosed this in a chat with pressmen after a parley with the Project Consultant, Mr Pierre Decroix in Abeokuta.

He disclosed that plans were in top gear for the take-off of the project, noting that the purpose of the interactive session was to sensitize the occupants of the proposed communities where the projects would be situated.

‘’The Project will be beneficial to settlers of the affected communities as it will provide job opportunities for the teeming unemployed Youths and it will as well reduce climate change and enhance food security’’, the Commissioner said.

It would be recalled that the Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun had in December, 2015, led a State delegation including the Commissioner for Forestry to the United Nations Conference on climate change (COP 21), in Paris, France, where he also held multi-lateral talks with officials of Lafarge Holcim and other investors on the Staff’s Forest Landscapes Restoration Project.

While commending the State Government on the initiative, the Project Consultant, Pierre Decroix said the interactive session became imperative because of the need to sensitize occupants of the affected communities about the project in line with global best practice.

He added that, there was also the need for satellite mapping which would supply information on the environment and soil, stressing that the project, when completed, would be the envy of all.

Responding, Divisional Forestry Programme Officers (DFPO) for Imeko and Aworo, Oladoke Isiaka and Odede Adebayo respectively said the people in their communities anticipate the commencement of the project with a pledge that they would provide cordial working relationship throughout the project execution period.