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• VISION

• MISSION

• KEY GOALS

• ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE

• POLICY THRUST & OBJECTIVES

• DEPARTMENTS IN THE MINISTRY

• FIELD OFFICES AND LOCATIONS

• GOVERNMENTS FOREST RESERVES

• CONCLUSION

OFFICIAL NAME:	OGUN STATE MINISTRY OF FORESTRY
OFFICE ADDRESS:	FIRST FLOOR, BLOCK D, NEW SECRETARIAT, OKE-MOSAN, ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE ogunministryofforestry@yahoo.com
POSTAL ADDRESS:	P.M.B 2008, SAPON, ABEOKUTA
OFFICIAL PHONE NUMBER:	07010459109

BRIEF ON THE MINISTRY: The Ministry of Forestry was carved out of the Ministry of Agriculture in August, 2004 (to become the first and only Ministry of Forestry in the Country) so as to fully exploit and develop the potentials of the State’s forest resource in all ramifications. The primary responsibility of the Ministry is to ensure rapid development of the State’s forest resources in all ramifications. It is also to coordinate all forestry activities in the State with a view to ensuring controlled and orderly exploitation of timber and non-timber forest resources so as to prevent soil degradation and provide mitigation against other disasters such as erosion, flood, global warming etc. which could result from deforestation.

Ogun State can be considered as the cradle of Forestry in Nigeria because the first Forest Reserve in the country is situated here in Ogun State at Olokemeji, it was established in 1915. Apart from this, the State can also boast of the largest industrial tree plantation in the Country – Ogun State Forestry Plantation Project, Area J4 occupying an area of 670.67sqkm.

The importance of forestry, particularly in Ogun State is extensive. The forests make valuable contributions to the development of the economy of the State and to the general standard of living of the populace. Interestingly, Ogun State is naturally endowed with abundant forestry resources, which when harnessed could support wide range of economic activities in the State in particular and the nation in general.

VISION: To pursue with vigour forest regeneration activities and reclamation of environmentally unstable areas in the State, and to develop and manage forest resources on sustainable basis to ensure continuous and uninterrupted supply of Timber and Non-Timber Forest Products.

MISSION: To ensure rapid development and conservation of our forest resources through regeneration and controlled exploitation of timber and non-timber forest resources for the purpose of economic development and environmental sustainability.

KEY GOALS:

i.	To ensure adequate and continuous supply of forestry 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 citizens through the encouragement & development of timber and Non Timber related industries;
iii.	To protect our Forest Estates against any form of encroachment, damage or destruction;
iv.	To regenerate the forest at a rate higher than exploitation.

 

 

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
The Honourable Commissioner, with the assistance of the Permanent Secretary formulates policy guidelines for forestry development in the State. The Ministry consists of six Departments and a Parastatal. A new technical Department (Survey, Demarcation, Inventory and Extension) has been created but yet to be regularised by the Bureau of Establishment. Three of the Departments are technical while the other three are Management support departments. Each Department is headed by a Director who reports directly to the Permanent Secretary.

 

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POLICY THRUST & OBJECTIVES OF THE MINISTRY
The broad policy objectives of the Ministry are enumerated below:

 

2.1	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.
2.2	To provide employment opportunities for the youths especially the rural dwellers through the encouragement and development of timber and non-timber related industries.
2.3	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.
2.4	To mount extensive campaigns on the need for individuals, schools, communities, organized private sector, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to grow trees on their farmland.
2.5	To develop, manage and protect wildlife in order to prevent the extinction of rare or endangered species.

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DEPARTMENTS IN THE MINISTRY

ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT

Statutory functions of the Department
The Administration & Supplies Department has the responsibility of coordinating the activities of members of staff. It performs the following statutory functions:

i.	Recruitment and Training
ii.	Promotion of eligible officers
iii.	Staff welfare and Discipline
iv.	Procurement & Maintenance
v.	Record Keeping
vi.	Supervision of Contractors handling toll collecting points.

 

UNITS

 

i.	Registry: Open and Confidential
ii.	Stores Unit
iii.	Procurement & Management Unit (Office Equipment)

 

FINANCE AND ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT

 

Statutory functions of the Department

 

i.	Receipt and lodgment of all revenues accruing to the Ministry into Banks.
ii.	Dealing with matters relating to emolument of staff.
iii.	Make payments of expenditure duly authorized by the Honourable Commissioner or the Permanent Secretary as the case may be.
iv.	Collation of all financial data relating to the activities of the Ministry.

 

UNITS

i.	Finance Section
ii.	Personnel Emoluments Section
iii.	Expenditure/Payment Section
iv.	Accounts Section.

 

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PLANNING, RESEARCH AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT

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 & Monitoring
(b).	Research & Statistics
(c).	Library Services

 

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REGULATION AND UTILIZATION DEPARTMENT

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

 

SILVICULTURAL DEPARTMENT

Statutory Functions of the Department

 

i.	To establish new forest plantations, using Agro-forestry and direct methods with a view to having a sustained wood production;
ii.	To maintain old and existing plantations by applying all necessary silvicultural operations;
iii.	To generate revenue for the government;
iv.	To address the twin problems of global warming and poverty among the populace;
v.	To carry out Forest inventory with a view to ascertaining the quality, and stocking of forest reserves at any point in time
vi.	To create jobs especially for youths, retirees and rural dwellers.

 

 

DEPARTMENT OF NON-TIMBER FOREST PROGRAMME

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
	Cane Rat (Grass cutter) domestication
	Wetland projects for all year round vegetable production.

 

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Forest Conservation

The Ministry is presently in collaboration with a NGO named Nigerian Conservation Foundation to promote Forest Conservation in the State Forest Reserves, particularly Omo Forest Reserve. This collaboration, tagged Omo-Oluwa-Shasha Conservation Project cuts across the three States of Ogun, Ondo and Osun.

FIELD OFFICES AND LOCATION

The Ministry has sixteen (16) field/area Offices across the State and each is headed by a Divisional Forestry Programme Officer. The Offices are saddled with the responsibility of bringing forestry services nearer to the people for the realization of the set goals in forest conservation/protection and revenue generation. The area/field Offices are:  

 

Ogun Central:

 

i.	Forestry Office, Adatan, Abeokuta
ii.	Forestry Office, Owode-Egba

 

Ogun East:

iii.	Forestry Office, Old Secretariat, G.R.A. Ijebu-Ode.
iv.	Forestry Office, Government Secretariat, Oke-Agbo, Ijebu Igbo.
v.	Forestry Office, Opp. Local Government Secretariat, Ogbere.
vi.	Forestry Office, Ogun Waterside Local Government Secretariat, Abigi
vii.	Forestry Office, Sagamu Local  Government Secretariat, Sagamu
viii.	Forestry Office, Opposite J4 Primary School, Area J4.
ix.	Forestry Office, Orita, Area J6.
x.	Forestry Office, Ikenne Local Government Area Office, Iperu.

 

Ogun West:

 

(xi).	Forestry Office, Imeko.
(xii).	Forestry Office, building opp. Yewa South Local Government Sct, Ilaro.
(xiii).	Forestry Office, Local Government Building, Oja-Odan Motor Park.
(xiv).	Forestry Office, Yewa North Local Government Secretariat, Ayetoro.
(xv).	Forestry Office, Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Secretariat, Ota.
(xvi).	Forestry Office, Off Roundabout, Idi-roko, Owode/Otta Express Road, Owode Yewa.

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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 2,732.62sq.km, which is about 16% of the total land mass of Ogun State and spread across the three Senatorial Districts of the State.

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.
vi.	Sustenance of the state’s leading role in the production of wood and wood materials.
vii.	Sustenance of the existing structural and institutional framework for the development of the forestry sub-sector.

 

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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.
vi.	Distribution/Sales of timber seedlings to private investors at highly subsidized rates.
vii.	Low tariff on logging activities on private plantations
viii.	Wide - spread extension services on forest plantation establishment.

 

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:-

• Ecotourism Development

 

The state has some designated sites for eco-tourism development.  These sites are located at Arakanga near Abeokuta, Area J4 – Omo Forest Reserve 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.

• Wood Processing and Allied Industries

There are investment and business opportunities in the wood processing and allied industries.  These include:

• Establishment of sawmills.

At present, the State has over 200 registered sawmills.  Ogun State, being one of the largest producers of wood and wood products can still accommodate more sawmills and wood conversion/processing outfit.

• Establishment of Carpentry/Furniture workshops

Ogun 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 a large expanse of land planted with Gmelina arborea.  This is an important raw material for paper and pulpwood industry.  Investors are advised to make use of this unique opportunity.

• 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.

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.

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.

 

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.

 

 

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 and mitigating the effect of climate change. With these efforts, there is no doubt that the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals on Environment Sustainability would be achieved.