BENIN CITY – Leveraging on the investment friendly environment in Edo State, an international organisation, Initiatief Duurzame Handel (IDH), a Sustainable Trade Initiative has collaborated with the state government to initiate a Multi-Stakeholders Platform (MSP) to bring together, stakeholders on oil palm production for a quality action plan that would ensure that the state regains its leading position in oil palm production.

MSP facilitator from IDH, Mrs Ngozi Unuigbe was on a courtesy visit to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Communication and Orientation, Mr. Joses Isede to brief him on the project.

According to her, IDH was supporting Edo State Edo State government to improve oil palm production by small holder farmers, “Not just improvement, but in a sustainable way that is environmental friendly.

“The idea is to support and encourage mass production in line with Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement for 2015,” adding that the “Approach is through a Multi-Stakeholders Platform where every stakeholder will come together to give their perspective on how the sustainability can be improved.”

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She disclosed that her organisation was going to select commmunities to be used for the pilot programme, while urging the ministry to contribute its personel for the action plan.

Responding, the Permanent Secretary expressed satisfaction with the import of the collaboration which he added was in tune with the state government MEGA plan.

Recalling that Bendel State, by implication Edo State occupied prime position in oil palm production globally in the past, he said that government was always ready to collaborate with international bodies that key into what it is doing to make the state great.

He assured that the ministry would do its part through orientation and education on the project.