Ondo Govt Urges Forest Concessionaires to Boost Community Development Through CSR
The Ondo State Government has called on forest concessionaires operating within its boundaries to deepen their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, especially in host communities, as part of a sustainable partnership for forest regeneration and economic utilisation.
The Permanent Secretary in the Forestry/Produce Sub-Sector of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Chief Segun Odusanya, made the appeal during a working visit to Lisagbede in Odigbo Local Government Area, where companies like Rex Forestry Ltd, Sul-Wood, and Blue Sky are executing afforestation projects.
According to a statement by Mr. Sola Omoboyowa, Head of Media and Public Relations in the ministry, Odusanya commended the concessionaires for their investments and progress in afforestation, harvesting, and local employment. However, he stressed the need for more visible contributions in education, health, infrastructure, and community welfare.
“As you utilise the 37.226 hectares of land concessioned to you, we expect stronger social responsibility efforts. These communities are not just neighbours—they are stakeholders in your success,” he said.
He reaffirmed the government’s readiness to support investors with regulatory ease and peaceful community engagement, particularly in addressing challenges like encroachment and unauthorised farming on forest reserves.
On his part, Rex Forestry Ltd Managing Director, Mr. Vincent Servais, outlined the firm’s achievements, including the planting of over 10,000 hectares with species such as Gmelina, Eucalyptus, Acacia mangium, and Tectona grandis. He added that more than 100 million seedlings are being raised to expand the initiative.
Servais also revealed that the company could create over 700 jobs and has already trained 100 students from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) in forest and wood management. He pledged continued collaboration with communities and sought government backing to tackle land encroachment and illegal logging.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to aligning economic goals with community impact, noting that sustainability must include benefits for the people living closest to the forests.
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