NAN-H-73
Visit
By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Ibadan, Feb. 17, 2017 (NAN) The House of Representatives Committee on Environment on Friday embarked on a facility tour of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the visiting lawmakers included Obinna Chidoka, Ayuba Bello, Odebunmi Olusegun, Obasa Tajudeen and Henry Nwawuba.
NAN reports that the lawmakers visited the Forest Products Development and Utilisation Department, Sustainable Forest Management Department, Biomedicinal Center and the Wildlife and Ecotourism Departments.
Speaking on the sidelines of the tour, the committee’s Chairman, Obinna Chidoka, said the visit was to assess the institute’s facilities and the work done so far.
“We want to see facilities on ground, we need to look at better specie of trees that can yield well in two to three years to make more revenue and attract young ones into forestry business.
“We have seen agro-forestry in place here, we have seen things that would not have existed in any other place except here.
“One good thing is that the management engaged young staff; we want to be sure that we are getting value from the institute, “he said.
Chidoka promised that the lawmakers would do their best to ensure that encroachment on the institute’s land was tackled.
“We will rather ask for more lands for you people to utilise, “he said.
The chairman charged the institute to enlarge its scope of research and training of staff, especially outside the country.
Earlier, FRIN Executive Director, Dr Adesola Adepoju, said the institute recorded more success and was wearing a new face-lift since the inception of the current administration.
Adepoju noted that FRIN assisted in preserving indigenous trees and animals from going into extinction, stressing that this could raise more revenue if supported.
The highlights of the event included planting of indigenous trees by the chairman and members of the committee as well as visit to the Federal College of Forestry in Ibadan. (NAN)
CC/KOLE/OJO
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(Edited by Remi Koleoso/Mufutau Ojo)