Monday, August 18, 2025 - Ekiti State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ENSHET Heights Global for a 30-year partnership aimed at developing economic trees on a 100-hectare portion of the Ogbese Forest Reserve.
The MoU was signed by the Secretary to Ekiti State
Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, on behalf of the state government and the
Chairman of Enshet Heights Global Ltd, Mr. Oladapo Olasope.
The agreement includes provisions for the joint harvesting
of mature trees, issuance of necessary permits and dispute resolution through
arbitration in Ado-Ekiti.
The initiative, which is to be supervised at no cost by
officials of Ekiti State Forestry Commission, mandates ENSHET Global to
cultivate only approved species and prohibits the planting of Indian hemp or
any unlawful crop.
According to the terms, the investment will run from August
1, 2025 to July 31, 2055, subject to review every five years and renewable
based on satisfactory performance.
The MoU also says harvesting of mature trees will be carried
out jointly upon the confirmation by an independent valuer and Ekiti Forestry
Commission, who will issue the necessary permits.
It was also agreed in the agreement that any attempt to
remove trees without due process or percentage entitlement will be deemed a
breach and sanctioned in line with the Ekiti State Forestry Laws.
Speaking during the signing ceremony in Ado-Ekiti, the
Managing Director/CEO of Enshet Heights Global Ltd., Dr. Tunmise Ayodele, said
the project was designed to develop, finance, cultivate, regenerate, process
and market cassava and its value-chain products, including cassava flour,
starch, sorbitol and ethanol.
Highlighting the benefits of the project, Ayodele said
investment would create over 1,000 direct jobs for Ekiti citizens, boost the
economy as well as attract foreign direct investment.
He added that the initiative would be implemented alongside
the
planting of various exotic and indigenous tree species to support environmental sustainability.
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