By Amaka Ifeakandu Lagos
Heritage Bank Plc, has said it is set to increase its fi nancial support to Globus Resources Limited, a subsidiary of Triton Group, to fl ag off the second phase of aff orestation programme in Oyo state. Th e bank as the fi rst fi nancier had earlier fi nanced the fi rst phase of the project and off ered N2billion long-term facility to enable Triton Aqua Africa Limited (TAAL) expand its aquaculture businesses- nursery/hatchery for the production of fi ngerlings and brood stock in Ikeja; and earthen ponds for catfi sh and tilapia in Asejire, Iwo and Gambari towns in Oyo. Under the programme, Globus Resources is expected to plant about 350,000 seedlings of teak, Gmelina arborea and Cidrella trees yearly over a period nine years in a bid to reforest about nine thousand hectares of land in Gambari village in Oyo state which had been exploited by tree fellers for timbers among others.
Speaking at the event, Ifi e Sekibo, Managing Director/CEO of Heritage Bank commended the governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and the Triton Group for the initiative between the state and Globus Resources to reforest the area again. He remarked that if every governor could put a little of bit of backing into agriculture as a way of life, it would go a long way to better the lives of the people. Chairman/MD of Triton Group, Ashvin Samtani, said the group has been operating in Nigeria for about 40 years, remarking that they are Nigerians, not expatriates, adding that beyond the tree planting initiative, the group intends to employ about 5,000 people.
