Adebayo Adenrele
…as Gov Oyebanji inaugurates school projects in Ijero-Ekiti
Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State has indicated his readiness to rejuvenate Ekiti forest asset to enhance economic contribution from the sector, provide ecological sustainability and create wealth.
Oyebanji, who disclosed this on Friday during a meeting with officials of Southpole Limited and Dannof Limited in his office, said his administration is interested in forestation and earning carbon credit.
He noted that all forest asset in Ekiti have been degraded, adding that his government would partner with SouthPole limited and Dannof Nigeria Limited to revitalize the forest reserves.
He stressed that his prosperity agenda could only be achieved when the environment is conducive for the people of the state and Investors.
In his words, “We are extremely interested in forestation, we are aware that our forest asset has been degraded, we want to earn carbon credit but we know is not a dash, there are some things we have to do to earn it and the earlier we put in place structures and situations to get to that point the better for us.
“The State wants to do business with Southpole because we recognize that they are critical and a major player in that field, they have demonstrated confidence and commitment. So we are interested.” The Governor added.
Speaking earlier, the Southpole Limited Commercial Manager for Africa, Roland Hunter said the purpose of the meeting was to seek collaboration with Ekiti State government to support local partner on how to explore ways to help Ekiti State government in the resurrection of forestry reserves to create social benefit, generate revenue and provide eco-system service.
The deal will see Ekiti State Forestry Commission, global carbon asset developer, Southpole Ltd, and Nigerian timber company Dannof Ltd working together to implement a Nature-Based Solutions approach, using reforestation in government Forest Reserves to replenish Ekiti’s one-vast forests, combat climate change and create jobs.
The collaboration will mobilise up to US$11.7 million of private investment and reforest up to a maximum of 5,500 hectares of degraded reserves with indigenous forest trees, alongside a programme of community benefits.
The project will be funded by the issuance of carbon credits in global certified voluntary carbon markets, which will be marketed for purchase by companies wishing to offset emissions of carbon dioxide from polluting activities.
Areas prioritised for the project implementation will be the most degraded and deforested areas within over-exploited forest reserves. These will be identified using satellite mapping with the collaboration of experts in Forest Measurement from Nigerian Universities and using the technical skills of Forestry Commission staff.
Southpole are a leading global carbon asset developer with over 800 projects and 42 dedicated teams across six continents.
Southpole Ltd Commercial Manager for Africa, Roland Hunter said “We are excited to explore an innovative public-private partnership approach which can deliver social and biodiversity benefits”.
Also present at the meeting were Secretary to the State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro, Special Adviser investment, Trade and Industry, Tayo Adeola, Special Adviser Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Ebenezer Boluwade and Technical Adviser on Forest management and Climate Change, Dr Olly Owen.
In another development, Oyebanji has commissioned two blocks of six classrooms at CAC Secondary School and a 500-Seater Lecture Theater at the College of Health Sciences and Technology, Ijero Ekiti.
Oyebanji, during the inauguration of the Lecture Theatre, built and donated by a member of the House of Representatives (Ekiti Central Federal Constituency 2), Hon. Wumi Ogunlola, tasked Ekiti residents to always ensure proper maintenance of public assets to ensure their durability.
Oyebanji, who revealed that his administration would soon establish a department that would be saddled with the responsibility of maintaining government assets across the state, also reiterated the commitment of his administration to providing a conducive teaching and learning environment as the welfare of teachers and staff of institutions was paramount in the agenda of his government.
The Governor, who hailed the donor for improving the quality of life of the people of her constituents, urged other well meaning members of the society to cultivate the idea of giving back to their communities, through adoption of schools, health care centres and other projects that have direct impact on the lives of the people.
“When we get to a position of authority, we should also realize that we are not there for ourselves, it is the prayers of some people that brought us and we must show responsibility to those people, because, if we don’t, God will raise other people to do it.
“I have a compendium of what she has done, if she went to the House of Representatives and she had done all these in three communities, if she has a bigger portfolio she will do more. I have no doubt about her integrity, about her commitment to her people.” He said.
Earlier in her address, the donor of the projects, Hon Wumi Ogunlola commended Oyebanji for his efforts at developing all sectors of the economy, stressing that her activities in her constituency were just to complement government efforts in the state.
