PROFILE OF THE MINISTRY OF FORESTRY
(A) INTRODUCTION
In order to fully exploit the potentials of the State’s forest resources, the Governor of the State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, graciously created the Ministry of Forestry in August, 2004 from the erstwhile Ministry of Agriculture. The agency is charged with the responsibility of coordinating all the activities relating to the Forestry sub-sector in the state among others.
(B) ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The Honourable Commissioner, with the assistance of the Permanent Secretary formulates policy guidelines for forestry development in the state. The Honourable Commissioner for Forestry is Alhaji Alli Ajibode while the Permanent Secretary is Mr. Seyi Banjoko. The Ministry is structured into six Departments. Each Department is headed by a Director who reports directly to the Permanent Secretary.
ALHAJI ALLI AJIBODE
HON. COMMISSIONER FOR FORESTRY
Phone No: 08037470019
MR. O. O. BANJOKO
PERMANENT SECRETARY
Phone No: 08035550186, 08058852755
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
(C) DEPARTMENTS AND THE DIRECTORS
1. ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT
DIRECTOR: MR. S. O. SOLIU-OYELEYE
PHONE NO: 08033828471
Statutory functions of the Department
a. Record keeping
b. Promotion of eligible officers
c. Discipline.
d. Procurement & Maintenance
e. Training
f. Appointment
UNITS
a. Registry: Open and Confidential
b. Stores Unit
c. Procurement & Management Unit (Office Equipment)
2. FINANCE AND ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT
DIRECTOR: MRS. EUNICE OMOTOLUWA AKINYEMI
PHONE NO: 08033054517
E-MAIL: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Statutory functions of the Department
a. Receipt and lodgment of all revenues accruing to the Ministry.
b. Matters relating to emoluments of staff of the Ministry.
c. Make payments of expenditure duly authorized by the Honourable Commissioner for Forestry, Permanent Secretary or Directors as the case may be.
d. Collation of all financial data relating to the activities of the Ministry.
UNITS
a. Revenue Section
b. Personnel Emoluments Section
c. Expenditure/Pay Unit
d. Final Accounts Section.
3. PLANNING, RESEARCH AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT
DIRECTOR: MR. TEMITAYO OLAYIDE ADELAJA
PHONE NO: 08035039968,
Statutory Functions of the Department
(i) Preparation of Annual Budget and Development of other short, medium and long term plans.
(ii) Effective monitoring and evaluation/appraisal of projects as at when due.
(iii) Preparation and publication of monthly, quarterly and yearly reports on the programmes and projects executed by the Ministry.
(iv) Production and co-ordination of data requirements in respect of the Ministry’s Technical Aids/External Assistance.
(v) Impact assessment of projects/programmes of the Ministry using the relevant indicators.
(vi) Research into areas of interest of the Ministry with the aim of building a viable data bank for reference purpose.
(vii) Collection, Collation, Analysis, Interpretation and publication of information for policy making.
(viii) Creation and maintenance of data base of suppliers and contractors of the Ministry.
(ix) Secretariat of the Ministry’s Tender Board.
(x) Establishment and Maintenance of the Ministry’s Electronic data base.
(xi) Computerization of the activities of the Ministry for an efficient Management Information System. (MIS).
UNITS
(a) Planning
(b) Research
(c) Statistics
4. REGULATION AND UTILIZATION DEPARTMENT
DIRECTOR: MR. O. A. ADEKOYA
PHONE NO: 08033743439
Statutory Functions of the Department
i) Protection of the State Forest Estate from encroachment;
ii) Control of illegal felling in public and private forests;
iii) Carrying out Forest inventory with a view to ascertaining the quality, and stocking of forest reserves at any point in time;
iv) Registration and Supervision of timber contractors;
v) Registration and Supervision of Saw millers;
vi) Supervision of Contractors handling toll collecting points;
vii) Conservation and protection of endangered trees.
UNITS
i. Log Control
ii. Forest Protection
iii. Logging Operation
iv. Forest Utilization
5. SILVICULTURAL DEPARTMENT
DIRECTOR: MR. O. O. ODEYEMI
PHONE NO: 08033184507
Statutory Functions of the Department
i) Establishment of new forest plantations in the State.
ii) Maintenance of old and existing plantations by applying all necessary silvicultural operations.
iii) Encouragement of private sector participation in forest regeneration through the provision of the necessary enabling environment.
iv) Raising of tree seedlings of various species for forest regeneration in the forest reserves and for sale to the people of the State at subsidized rates.
v) Extension and enlightenment programmes for the populace on the need to plant trees especially in Schools.
vi) Prevention of forest devastation through man-made hazards such as fire and illegal farming.
vii) Coordination of the activities of private foresters.
6. DEPARTMENT OF NON-TIMBER FOREST PROGRAMME
DIRECTOR: MR. DOLAPO ODULANA
PHONE NO: 08066512556
Statutory Functions of the Department
i. Conservation and Development of wildlife in the State with a view to protecting such for aesthetic, research, economic and recreational values.
ii. Development of parks and Gardens with a view to providing recreational facilities and more revenue to the government.
iii. Honey production (Apiculture)
iv. Silk production for the textile Industry (Sericulture)
v. Snail Domestication for local consumption and export
vi. Cane Rat (Grass cutter) domestication
vii. Wetland projects for all year round vegetable production.
(D) GENERAL OBJECTIVES OF THE MINISTRY
(i) To ensure adequate and continuous supply of forest produce through the development and orderly exploitation of the State’s Forest Resources in order to protect the environment and ecology.
(ii) To provide employment opportunities for our youths, rural and urban dwellers through the encouragement and development of timber and non-timber related industries.
(iii) To protect our forest estates against any form of encroachment, damage or destruction and to regenerate the forests at a rate that is higher than that of exploitation.
(iv) To mount extensive campaigns on the need for private individuals, schools, communities and other Non Governmental Organizations to grow trees on their farmland.
(v) To develop, manage and protect wildlife in order to prevent the extinction of rare and endangered species;
(E) OFFICE LOCATION
The head office is located at the old Secretariat, Ibara, Abeokuta, behind the Central Bank of Nigeria, Ogun State, Nigeria. The Ministry has fifteen (15) area offices across the state namely:
(a). Abeokuta Zone:
(i). Forestry Office, Arakanga Reserve
(ii) Forestry Office, Olokemeji Forest Reseve
(iii) Forestry Office, Owode-Egba,
(b). Ijebu Zone:
iv. Forestry Office, Old Secretariat, G.R.A. ijebu-Ode.
v. Forestry Office, Government Secretariat, Oke-Agbo, Ijebu Igbo.
VI Forestry Office, Opp. Local Government Secretariat, Ogbere.
Vii Forestry Office, Abigi Ogun Waterside Local Government Sec, Abigi
viii. Forestry Office, Sagamu Local Government Secretariat, Sagamu
ix. Forestry Office Building Office, Opp.J4 Primary School, Area J4.
x. Forestry Office, Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area Office, Iperu.
xi. Forestry Office, Building, Opp. Yewa South Local Government, Sec. Ilaro.
Xii Forestry office, Local Government Building, Oja-Odan, Motor Park.
xiii. Forestry Office, Ayetoro, Old Yewa North Local Government Secretariat, Ayetoro.
(c) Otta Zone:
Xiv Forestry Office, Otta, Ado-Odo-Odo/Ota Local Government, Office
Xv Forestry Office, Owode Yewa, Off Roundabout, Idi-roko, Owode/Otta Express Road.
(F) GOVERNMENT FOREST RESERVES
At the creation of the State in 1976, a total of nine (9) Forest Reserves were inherited from the former Western State. The reserves altogether cover an area of 2732.62sq.km, which is about 16% of the total land mass of Ogun State and spread across the three Senatorial Districts of the State.
(G) INVESTMENT POLICY OF THE STATE FORESTRY SUB-SECTOR
Industrial development is a major factor in the promotion of the economic development of the people. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the government to promote and facilitate industrial growth with a view to enhancing accelerated economic development through industrialization of the state. The state government’s investment policy in the forestry sub-sector includes:
(i) To ensure private participation in the socio-economic development of the forestry sub-sector especially in plantation establishment and eco-tourism,
(ii) Promotion and encouragement of rapid development of the processing, manufacturing and other allied activities in the sub-sector.
(iii) Creation of a favourable and enabling investment environment which will attract and enhance private investment in the forestry sub-sector of our economy.
(iv) Maximize local value addition through the processing of wood for export and utilization of wood by-products.
(v) Sustenance of the state’s leading role in the production of wood and wood materials.
(vi) Sustenance of the existing structural and institutional framework for the development of the forestry sub-sector.
(H) INVESTMENT INCENTIVES IN THE FORESTRY SUB-SECTOR
In its bid to accelerate the pace of forest resources development in the state through the private sector participation, the state had recently introduced some measures such as:-
(i) Review of forestry law to accommodate low tariffs for private plantation owners.
(ii) Provision of land in designated rural areas for forest plantation establishment.
(iii) Improved rural road network.
(iv) Open door policy through close and healthy relationship between the state government and the Organized Private Sector.
(v) Distribution/Sales of timber seedlings to private investors at highly subsidized rates.
(vi) Tax concession/low tariff on logging activities on private plantations
(vii) Concessionary interest rates on Forestry loans.
(viii) Low/zero tariffs on agricultural/forestry equipment.
(ix) Wide- spread extension services on forest plantation establishment.
(I) BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN THE FORESTRY SUB-SECTOR OF OGUN STATE
Historically, timber was one of the earliest produce exported regularly from Nigeria between 1806 and 1975 at the time when Forestry contributed greatly to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and foreign exchange earning. The forest produce have the potentials to be a major foreign exchange earner if adequate resources are re-allocated to the sub-sector. Ogun state no doubt has abundant human, material and ecological resources for sustainable forestry activities. The investment opportunities which abound in the state’s forestry sub-sector are enumerated below:-
(i) Ecotourism Development
The state has some designated sites for eco-tourism development. These sites are located at Arakanga near Abeokuta and Imeko. The sites are ideal for Games reserves, Zoological and Botanical gardens etc. If developed, they have high potentialities to attract foreign visitors thereby generating the much needed foreign exchange. This is a good business opportunity for the would-be investors.
(ii) Wood Processing and Allied IndustriesThere are investment and business opportunities in the wood processing and allied industries. These include:
· Establishment of sawmills.
At present, the state has a little over 300 registered sawmills. Ogun State, being one of the largest producers of wood and wood products can still accommodate more sawmills.
· Establishment of Carpentry/Furniture workshopsOgun State is the home of assorted wood materials suitable for furniture raw materials etc. Our investors could take full advantage of these vital raw materials.
· Production of pulpwood and paper.
Ogun State has the largest Gmelina plantation in the country. This is an important raw material for paper and pulpwood industry. Investors are advised to make use of this unique opportunity.
(iii) Mulberry Plantation/Sericulture
Silk and silk materials are obtained primarily through the rearing of silk worms (sericulture). With the high demand for silk products internationally, this area is no doubt a promising investment opportunity. Ogun State is ecologically suitable for the production of mulberry which is a vital food material for the silk worms.
(iv) Snail Production
Snails are good delicacies in the catering industry. Snails are also good export products. There are ample opportunities for the investors in snail production and processing.
(v) Honey Production
Honey and honey materials are becoming more important in the international markets. This is due partly to the importance of these products in the pharmaceutical industry. The state has a comparative advantage in honey production.
(vi) Mushroom Production
This is a Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) which is a good source of food for the teeming population. The would-be investors should take the advantage of our suitable climatic and ecological factors for mushroom production and canning for export.
(J) CONCLUSION
The private sector driven economic policy of the present administration in Ogun state has led to a policy shift towards the private sector. To further consolidate our past achievements, concerted efforts are on to create a conducive and enabling business environment for investors.
Similarly, part of the strategies to achieve aggressive Afforestation is the involvement and encouragement of schools, communities and individuals to raise forest plots on their idle lands. As an incentive, tree seedlings were sold to them at reduced rates and at times distributed to the public at no cost.
This clarion call to all and sundry to imbibe the culture of tree planting is a way of reducing the mitigating effect of climate change. With these efforts, there is no doubt the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals on Environment Sustainability would be achieved.
Contact Address:
Ministry of Forestry
PMB - 2008,
Ibara, Abeokuta
Ogun State.
Ogun State Mail Portal
