…Focus is on protecting community rights – Oboh
By Ogbebor Tony Ikponmwosa
The Edo State Government has reinforced its commitment to ensuring that oil palm development and production are done sustainably and in line with global best practices by ensuring project communities are trained on the Round Table for Sustainable Oil Palm (RSPO) Principles and Criteria (P&Cs).
The Team Lead of the Edo State Oil Palm Programme (ESOPP), Mr. Churchill Oboh reiterated the Government’s assurance at the kickoff of the RSPO Community Outreach Programme held at Benin City, Edo State.
Speaking at the event, Mr. Oboh stated that this initiative is the sequel to the launching of the RSPO community outreach programme by the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki on October 24, 2022.
According to him “the community outreach programme is in line with the State Government’s desire to make sure investors under the ESOPP programme operate in line with the RSPO set standards and also to make sure that the people of various host communities are equipped with the knowledge of oil palm developments and standards.
“The Governor of Edo State has unequivocally demanded that all investors under the State’s oil palm programme must carry out their production in accordance with the RSPO standards which hinges on three main principles which are Planet, People and Prosperity (PPP)”.
Introducing Foremost Development Services (FDS), which specialises in providing Technical, Economic and Management Services relating to Agriculture, Forestry, Rural Development, Natural Resources Conservation to the various communities, the Mr Oboh noted that RSPO partnered with FDS to engage, train and educate communities on the details of the RSPO standards.
According to him, RSPO partnered with FDS because the Edo State Government needs the people to be empowered with the right knowledge and understanding. He added that the partnership will educate the various communities on all they need to know about RSPO standards in oil palm development and production as well as best practices for small-holder farmers.
At the event, the Principal Consultant Foremost Development Services (FDS), Mr. Ahmeed Abisoye Olanigan reiterated that palm oil must be produced sustainably and according to global best practices.
“Oil palm must be produced in such a way that the interest of the present and future generations must be protected, the cultural, moral, socio and economic livelihood of the people must be protected and it is our responsibility as partners with RSPO to make sure we train and educate the people of the communities about their rights and benefits as host communities.”
Mr. Ahmeed further stated that the community outreach and training programme will last for a minimum period of twenty (20) months with different stages and levels of engagement.
Chief Segun Emoni, a representative of Sabongida Ora community commended the Edo State Government and ESOPP for this planned community outreach programme especially for ensuring community inclusiveness in all the processes of oil palm investment in the State.
The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was established in 2004 with the objective of promoting the growth and use of sustainable palm oil products through global standards and multistakeholder governance.
