
ONDO COMMENDS REX FORESTRY, OTHER CONCESSIONAIRES ON OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE
…Reiterates Support for Forest Regeneration and Utilization
The Ondo State Government has commended Rex Forestry Ltd, Sul-Wood, and Blue Sky for their exceptional performance on projects located in the afforestation area, specifically in the generation, planning, harvesting, and processing in Lisagbede, Odigbo Local Government.
The Permanent Secretary, Forestry/Produce Sub-Sector of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Chief Segun Odusanya, praised the companies during a working visit to the afforestation project site for an on-the-spot assessment.
Chief Odusanya described Rex Forestry as a company with the requisite expertise and investment in the wood business, noting that the level of work done was tremendous. He appreciated the company’s engagement of local people within the communities.
As part of the ministry’s oversight role, Chief Odusanya assured the company of support to ensure smooth operations and compliance with regulations. He charged the company to maximize the utilization of the 37.226 hectares of land concessioned to them for the benefit of all stakeholders.
The Permanent Secretary urged the company to enhance its corporate social responsibility to host communities and the state. He assured them that all challenges would be resolved amicably through dialogue with farmers in the area who were illegally encroaching on the land.
Chief Odusanya explained that the farmers had encroached into the forest to plant cash crops, but the government had concessioned the area to investors for economic use, regeneration, and research purposes, including a research center for students.
In his welcome address, the Managing Director of Rex Forestry Ltd, Mr. Vincent Servais stated that Rex is a commercial forestry company and part of a vertically integrated business. Its objectives include the sustainable establishment and management of plantations for the production and supply of veneer logs for plywood to its sister company, Sol-wood.
Mr. Servais hinted that production would commence by September 2025, as all necessary arrangements are in place.
He added that the company would employ over 700 people as soon, stressing that they have established Gmelina, Arborea, Eucalyptus, and Acacia Mangium plantations, with plans to diversify species in the future.
According to the Head of Media and Public Relations in the ministry, Sola Omoboyowa, the Managing Director noted that Rex Forestry obtained a concession of 37.226 hectares and signed an agreement with the state government on August 7, 2021, which is valid for a 50-year term and renewable, adding that over 10,000 hectares have been planted, and the company is currently nursing over 100 million exotic seedlings for future planting.
Furthermore, 100 students from the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) have received training in forest and wood management.
He, therefore, solicited government support to address encroachment on company land for farming and illegal felling of planted logs.
He advocated for dialogue and mutual understanding to resolve these issues without resorting to force.