Obaseki: Why We Earmarked 200,000 Hectares for Oil Palm Plantation

Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, has said his administration's plans to earmark not less than 200,000 hectares of land for organised oil palm plantation was aimed at diversifying the state’s economy and create jobs for its teeming youth population. Obaseki disclosed this during the public presentation and launch of Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) in Benin City, Edo State. 

“The goal for the palm oil industry is to have not less than 200,000 hectares of organised oil palm plantation by the end of my administration. We are ready to fulfil our commitment made during the commissioning of the extension II project for Okomu Oil Palm Company, to pioneer the establishment of Oil Palm Council of Nigeria.” 

Edo State, he said, is committed to the principles of RSPO, noting that “adopting the principle is critical in ensuring the achievement of the goal to position the state as the hub of palm oil production in the country. We will develop a masterplan to deepen and re-enforce some of the RSPO principles with specific benchmark.” 

Also, CEO, SIAT Group, Gert Vandersmissen, said the oil palm sector in the state, if properly positioned, would be among the most sustainable in the world.