Timber, Shea Exports: BPE strengthens partnership with Institute of Forestry
Elizabeth Christopher
The Federal Government through the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has inaugurated an inter-agency committee between the BPE and the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), as part of measures to ensure the FRIN deliver on its mandate.
Inaugurating the 7-member committee in Abuja, Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Alex Okoh said the Projects Reform and Infrastructural Development of the Institute would be executed through Public Private Partnership (PPP).
He stated that the Bureau was committed to partnering with the institute for the successful execution of the following projects through PPP transactions:
- Plantation development of Tectona grandis (Teak) for Timber exportation
- Plantation development of Acacia Senegal for gum Arabic production for local industry and exportation.
- Plantation development of Vitlleria paradoxa (Shea butter tree) for pharmaceutical, dietary and cosmetic products for local industry and exportation.
- Plantation development of Gmelina arborea (short fibre) and Eucalyptus camadulensis (long fibre) for pulp and paper production Biomedicinal products development and Production of saw dust-cement board for use in building industry.
The Director General recalled that the Bureau in pursuance of its mandate for the reform of government-owned enterprises had written to the forest institute requesting its collaboration to bring in reform initiatives on some of the projects under the purview of the institute which it agreed to collaborate with BPE to ensure identified viable projects were structured to attract investors through PPP arrangement.
The membership, drawn from the two organisations, has Prof. O. Akinyemi, Prof. F.A Aderounmu, Mrs. O, A Bamgbade, Dr. Obiora Obiagwu, Ahmed Abdulkadir, Abubakar Dutse and Gladys Madu as members.
Mr. Okoh explained that the members are tasked to “review the operations of the identified projects and their challenges and come up with a strategy.”
Also, “to review the institute’s facilities for the purpose of ascertaining their technical requirements and value of the enterprises; and to review all lease agreements with the Institute to ensure conformity with the standard procedure of the FGN’s requirements in line with the original concept.”
The Director of Research, Forest Research Institute of Nigeria, Prof. O. Akinyemi thanked the Director General and the management of the Bureau for recognising the institute as a valuable organisation capable of adding value to plant projects in the country.
