Nigeria, Ekiti, 12 July (Mediaage NG) — Governor of southwestern Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, in a meeting with delegates from Southpole Limited and Dannof Limited, said his administration is ready to rejuvenate state’s forest assets to enhance economic contribution from the environment sector, providing ecological sustainability and creating wealth by tapping into nature-based solutions to climate change.
While revealing that his government will partner with the delegates, Mr. Oyebanji, who noted that all forest assets in the state have been degraded, said the partnership is aimed at revitalising the forest reserves, adding that a conducive environment is key to economic and social growth for the state residents and investors.
“We are extremely interested in reforestation, 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, said the 56 year old governor.
“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.
Southpole’s Commercial Manager for Africa, Mr 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 services.
Dr Akinyemi Akinyugha, the state Coordinator of the NEWMAP watershed management project, added: “This collaboration signals our aspiration to consolidate and scale sustainable reforestation activities undertaken by Governor Oyebanji, aimed at generating direct income for local communities whilst delivering climate benefits, biodiversity & soil restoration.”