Ondo begins verification of tree-planting investors

By Fatima Muraina
The Ondo State Government, through its Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, has initiated a verification exercise for investors seeking to plant economic trees in degraded sections of the state’s forest reserves.
The initiative is aimed at restoring and improving the forest reserves while contributing to environmental protection and ecological balance.
According to a statement by Mr. Sola Omoboyowa, Head of Publicity and Media Relations at the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the verification exercise forms part of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement designed to facilitate sustainable afforestation efforts.
Permanent Secretary of the Forestry/Produce sub-sector, Mr. Oluwagbenga Akingbasote, mni, noted that the process would help identify serious investors and enable the government to assess the condition of the degraded forest areas.
Chairman of the screening committee and Director of Conservation, Regeneration, and Environmental Forestry, Mr. Godwin Osere, stated that applicants must present themselves before the screening committee with relevant documentation between January 20 and 31, 2025.
He further warned that failure to do so would lead to the revocation of previously issued allocations.