By Adeleye Kunle
Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Governor of Ekiti State, has stated that the state has set in motion machinery to invest in cultural tourism, wildlife, and forestry, all of which have enormous ecotourism potential and could become epicentres of recreation, attraction, and learning.
According to Fayemi, this investment will not only boost the state’s internally generated revenue, but will also create jobs for its plethora of unemployed graduates.
The governor made the remarks on Monday in Ado Ekiti, after receiving the results of a six-month survey of 31 cultural sites led by Dr. Babajide Agboola and staff from the Ekiti State Forestry Commission.
Fayemi, who was represented by the Chairman of the Ekiti State Forestry Commission, Kayode Olaosebikan, assured that sacred sites such as Ogun Onire Groove and Esa Cave, as well as 29 others with forest and cultural potential, will be designated as ‘Community Protected Areas’ in accordance with the 2016 Ekiti State Forest Law.
Furthermore, Fayemi stated that his government will recruit more guards to enforce forest laws in the state in order to deter bandits from using forests as a safe haven for nefarious activities and to checkmate illegal loggers who are depleting the forests.
“The government is not unaware of the dreadful activities being perpetrated by some criminals in the forests,” he said, adding that efforts were being made to bring the situation under control.
“A proposal has already been submitted to the State Forestry Commission, which will be approved soon.” We want to hire more guards to protect our forests from insecurity and illegal logging, which can endanger both our people and our economy.
“The government currently has enough personnel, but some will retire soon.” We also felt that we needed more to effectively cover our forest reserves, so that our people and economy could be protected from evil people.”
Dr. Akinyemi Akinyugha, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Environment, stated in his submission that the government is stepping up efforts to conserve existing forests and regenerate depleted ones in order to boost the economy and protect the environment.
Mr. Mathew Famuagun, Executive Secretary of the Ekiti State Forestry Commission, revealed that the government distributed 580,000 seedlings to interested farmers last year and 380,000 seedlings this year to promote afforestation and business in Ekiti.
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