The NNPC Exploration and Production Ltd/Seplat Energy Joint Venture and the Edo State government have signed an agreement that will see the state government allocate 6,000 hectares of land from its protected forest reserves for large-scale tree planting initiative by Seplat Energy Plc.

   
This is in furtherance of Seplat Tree4Life Initiative and Edo State government identifying the need to increase forest cover and carbon sequestration efforts within the region.
   
Seplat Energy was selected as the partner to implement the reforestation project, which aims to plant millions of indigenous trees on the allocated land over the next five years. The project represents a significant investment in environmental conservation and sustainable development for the state.
   
Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony in Edo State Government House, the Managing Director, Seplat West Limited, Seplat Energy, Ayodele Olatunde, said the partnership will contribute to the global efforts around mitigating the effects of climate change, whilst providing economic, social, health and other environmental benefits to the region.
   
“This will stir more advocacy as far as climate change is concerned and put Edo State government and Seplat JV on the map as change agents.”
The Commissioner for Environment & Sustainability, Edo State, Joshua Omokhodion, said the synergy between Edo State and Seplat JV is a huge attempt at mitigating the impacts of climate change in Nigeria. “Beyond the economics of this move, the science of it is very important to us because it is an attempt to deliberately create an ambience that will be conducive for humans and other creatures.”
 
 The Director, External Affairs & Social Performance, Seplat Energy, ChiomaAfe, thanked Edo State government for partnering with the NEPL/Seplat JV on this sustainable journey of reforestation. 
She said: “This will drive forward our shared goals of environmental conservation and sustainable land use.
   
“These 6,000 hectares of land being allocated today, we believe, will provide a major boost to efforts at increasing tree cover and sequester carbon in our region. We believe also that this will not only tackle climate change, but will promote the local economy as well as local wildlife. The agreement demonstrates the NEPL/Seplat JV strong commitment to supporting impactful environmental projects.”
   
The Managing Director, NEPL, Nicolas Foucart, represented by Mr. Uzoma Ezulu, DM Operations Management Seplat, NEPL, said the partnership between the state government and NEPL/Seplat JV is a laudable response to the global warming crisis.