Gov Aiyedatiwa vows to protect Ondo forest reserves

…….FAO project records progress in Ondo, Cross River

By Tolulope Eniola

Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has vowed to strengthen the protection of the state’s forest reserves against encroachment as part of efforts to sustain agricultural development and preserve the environment.

Aiyedatiwa spoke on Thursday when the team implementing the Inclusive and Sustainable Cocoa and Oil Palm Project in Ondo and Cross River states, led by FAO Climate Change Specialist, Dr Nifesimi Ogunkua, paid a courtesy visit to his office in Akure.

The governor said the selection of Ondo and Cross River states for the project was appropriate, noting that the two states were Nigeria’s leading cocoa-producing states, with Ondo occupying the first position and Cross River second.

He specifically thanked Ogunkua for choosing to remain in Nigeria and selecting Ondo as one of the states for the intervention.

Aiyedatiwa described the project as timely, particularly against the backdrop of the expansion of agriculture and agribusiness in the two states.

He identified encroachment on forest reserves by farmers cultivating economic trees, as well as the allocation of land to investors for large-scale plantations and mechanised farming, as major challenges confronting the state.

The governor said the situation predated his administration, adding that the project team’s assessment that several protected areas had been encroached upon was “near accurate”.

He said the government was determined to protect the affected areas and the environment without undermining agricultural development.

Aiyedatiwa said the government had stopped arbitrary allocation of land and was undertaking serious mapping and Geographic Information System (GIS) operations to identify protected areas, land that could be allocated and areas that must be preserved.

On the shortage of extension officers, the governor acknowledged that many had retired and disclosed that he had discussed the issue with the Commissioner for Agriculture, adding that the government would consider further recruitment.

He, however, noted that expanding the workforce came with financial implications.

Aiyedatiwa said his administration had so far recruited about 6,000 personnel across government departments, agencies and parastatals to strengthen the workforce and enhance service delivery.

He said the state had also recruited produce officers and other agricultural personnel, adding that the recruitment of extension officers was being considered in response to the concern raised by the project team.

The governor said the government needed to meet the requirements for some of the interventions being considered.

Aiyedatiwa assured the team that the government would take the necessary steps to protect the forest reserves, stressing that the assessment by an external body had provided an opportunity for the state to address the identified gaps.

He said the government would act on the advice of professional and technical experts.

The governor expressed appreciation for the provision of seedlings, particularly the plan to provide about one million seeds annually for growers and farmers to improve their yields.

He also pledged the state’s support for efforts to expand farmers’ access to credit, including eco-credit.

Aiyedatiwa said government officials had been working with the professionals involved in the process, assuring that he would approve whatever was required to move the initiative forward.

“Whatever they need to do, they will do it. Whenever they bring it up, I will approve,” he said.

He also welcomed the mid-year update on the project, saying it would help the state assess where it was, where it stood and what needed to be done to improve.

He said the government would use the report as a guide for future operations.

Earlier, Ogunkua said the Inclusive and Sustainable Cocoa and Oil Palm Project had reached its halfway stage, with significant progress recorded in supporting smallholder farmers, restoring degraded areas and strengthening agricultural capacity in Ondo and Cross River states.

She said the project was centred on inclusive and sustainable cocoa and oil palm plantations and the restoration of already degraded areas.

Ogunkua stressed the need to strengthen the capacity of stakeholders and ensure that innovations from research institutions, international organisations and development partners reached smallholder farmers.

She said extension officers were critical to translating scientific evidence into practical support for farmers, adding that more officers were needed in the two states, particularly following retirements.

Although the project was working with local government facilitators, she said their capacity needed to be further strengthened to provide the technical support required for effective implementation.

Ogunkua said the team had presented media updates and annual reports detailing the project’s implementation, support provided and current status in Ondo and Cross River.

She commended the project team for its professionalism and commitment, saying it had made considerable impact in the two states.

She also acknowledged the support of the Commissioners for Agriculture and Environment, those involved in the cocoa revolution and other stakeholders contributing to the project.

Ogunkua disclosed that about N1 billion had been transferred in the first year to project partners and Ministries, Departments and Agencies involved in its implementation.

She said assessments had been conducted to determine the activities and resources required by the various partners to deliver effectively.

She identified the Produce Department and Cocoa Board as areas requiring support, particularly for seedling establishment and other activities.

She said seedlings had been established and were being produced to provide economic fruits, stressing the need to ensure that resources committed to the project translated into tangible benefits on the ground.

She commended the leadership of the CTA, National Project Coordinator and State Project Coordinator for ensuring that the project’s implementation translated into concrete action.

Ogunkua said the project had reached its halfway point as of the week of the engagement and was undergoing a mid-term assessment.

She said the state’s support had been instrumental to implementation, expressing confidence that resources committed to the project would translate into immediate services and further implementation.

She added that preparations were already underway for the utilisation of resources to be provided for the third year of the project, with further implementation expected the following year.

Ogunkua thanked the Ondo State Government and other stakeholders for their support and cooperation towards the success of the project.

In attendance were the Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Olukayode Ajulo; Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr. Leye Akinola; Commissioner for Environment, Dr Tob Loko; and Chairman, Cocoa Revolution Board, Mr Omolade Fabiyi.