By Ogbebor Tony Ikponmwosa
The Acting Team Lead of the Edo State Oil Palm Program (ESOPP), Mr. Churchill Oboh, has said that Governor Godwin Obaseki is committed to building positive relationships between local communities and the State Government to encourage sustainable community development through investments that will help to tackle the myriad of challenges facing local communities in the State.
Mr. Oboh gave the assurance while speaking at a Participatory Boundary Establishment (PBE) Sign-off exercise between the Warrake Community in Owan East Local Government Area and an ESOPP Investor, Loquat Classics, in Benin City, Edo State.
He said: “As part of Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) requirements for pre-access to land activities, participatory boundary establishment exercise is critical as it gives the communities the opportunity to select representatives to work alongside the surveyors in the process of mapping and surveying of areas allocated to investors for oil palm cultivation project while the signing helps to document it.”
The Team lead further stressed that women and marginalized groups in the local communities have a key role to play and promised that the State Government will continue to involve all these groups in the developmental affairs of their respective communities. He added that this is the first step to many positive initiatives and developments that will take place in the Warrake Community.
Also speaking at the event, the Director of Agricultural Affairs, Mr. Erhunmwonsere Sunday, who represented the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, commended the State Government for the exercise.
“The fact that members of the community were employed to work alongside the surveyors has already created employment for members of the community; this shows that the State Government is committed to providing employment for the people in our local communities,” he added.
Similarly, the Secretary of Warrake Traditional Council, Chief Mustapha Orogho, who represented the Royal Highness of Warrake Community, expressed joy for the development, saying that members of his community have been very supportive throughout this process and assured the State Government of continuous partnership that will foster growth and progress.
