In order to reduce pressure on forest reserve, the Edo Ministry of Environment and Sustainability on Thursday inaugurated a cassava processing facility at Udo, Ovia South West Local Government Area of the state.
The facility is a livelihood support project under the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) programme of the United Nations.
In his address, the commissioner of the ministry, Mr Jonathan Lawani commended the Federal Ministry of Environment for selecting the state as one of the REDD+ states.
Lawani said the facility was a milestone towards a significant campaign on forest conservation, sustainable and management.
According to him, the project will create jobs for some viable youths in the community and thereby reduce the pressure on the neighbourhood forest reserve and reduce further deforestation and degradation of forest in the state.
“The commissioning of the industrial cassava processing line machines has been made possible by the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, World Bank REDD+ assisted programme,” he said.
The commissioner recounted various measures the state government had put in place to bring back forest, one of which he said was partnership on regeneration of the state forest.
In her address, Mrs Titilayo Omoigui, Edo Coordinator of REDD+, said the programme was aimed to reduce Greenhouse emissions, by slowing, halting and reversing forest loss and degradation.
She said the facility was to serve as an alternative means of livelihood for the forest dependent community like Udo.
“If we are talking about sustainable forest management, it must include provision of alternative means of livelihood for the forest dependent community.
“This is the main focus for the provision of this livelihood machines to reduce the pressure on our forest reserves as this will encourage direct resistance on the part of the community to deforestation through community forest policing,” said the REDD+ coordinator.
In his address, the Iyase of Udo, Uzi Patrick Igbinidu commended REDD+ and other support groups for their intervention programmes at checkmating the incessant deforestation and degradation of Udo forest.
The illegal logging activities and poaching in the area, the monarch said had resulted to environmental hazards and disasters ranging from gully erosion, extinction of wildlife and loss of important economic trees.
“Most importantly, the program has also led to the construction of an enviable standard and ultramodern cassava mill, currently due for commission.
“Indeed, we are eternally grateful to you all,” he said.
The community head, assured however, appealed to the state government for construction of 10 kilometre township road and upgrading of police post in the town to a police station.
