Governor of Ondo state, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has stated that unemployment in Ondo state will reduce to a large extent as a result of the forestation project his administration is embarking on.
The governor revealed this on Tuesday during the flag-off of the 10,000 hectares of forestation project at Omotosho in Okitipupa Local Government area of the state.
Akeredolu said that the project is a partnership between the Ondo state government and a Chinese company, Wewood limited.
He hinted that once the project begins operation fully, more people will be employed and that will reduce the rate of unemployment in the state.
Speaking further, the governor noted that the focus of his government is to attract investors to the state which will be beneficial to the state.
He stressed that it was the duty of his administration to make a unique difference in the lives and well-being of the citizens of the state.
Speaking more on the project, the Chief Executive Officer, CEO of the state labelled the project as a landmark in the history of the state.
He reminded those in attendance that a similar project was last embarked upon in 1979 during the regime of the late chief Adekunle Ajasin for the objective of distributing wood pulp to Iwopin paper mill and other wood based industries in the area.
He however lamented that the project failed to fulfill it's purpose due to poor supervision and maintenance.
Akeredolu promised that his government would make sure appropriate measures are taken this time around in order to prevent the failure of the current afforestation project.
In his remark, the business development manager of Wewood limited, Mr. Sun Peng stated that the move by the governor to tackle unemployment and environmental hazard is already yielding results.
Peng announced that sequel to the governor's hands of fellowship, no fewer than 30 other Chinese investors had shown interest in investing in different types of manufacturing companies in the state.
