Eight host communities in Okitipupa and Odigbo LGAs of Ondo State have lodged a formal petition against Rex Forestry Limited, accusing the firm of deliberately neglecting its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and local content obligations under an afforestation concession signed with the state government.
The petition, dated September 2, 2025, and addressed to the Commissioner for Natural Resources, was jointly signed by Chief Oloruntobi Kehinde, Chairman of the G-8 Communities Development Union and Mayegun of Kajola, alongside the group’s Youth Leader, Ayadi Kola. Copies were also sent to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the Attorney-General, ONDIPA, the Corporate Affairs Commission, and the Ondo State House of Assembly.
According to the communities, the agreement—entered into on August 17, 2021—requires Rex Forestry to:
* Allocate 1% of its annual budget to CSR projects.
* Prioritise the employment of local youths.
* Promote education, sanitation, and skill acquisition.
* Provide training in forestry and timber processing.
* Adhere to global sustainability benchmarks, including Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC)** standards.
However, the petitioners alleged that the company has ignored these commitments. They accused Rex Forestry of:
* Hiring outsiders instead of qualified local youths.
* Failing to release funds for CSR projects.
* Neglecting community education, sanitation, and skill development initiatives.
* Imposing a liaison officer, identified as Mr. Ezekiel from Osun State, against the wishes of the host communities.
The G-8 union argued that these breaches not only deny locals employment opportunities but also erode trust and threaten peace in the host areas.
They demanded that the government:
1. Summon Rex Forestry to account for its non-compliance.
2. Set up a tripartite monitoring committee involving the state, the company, and community representatives.
3. Impose sanctions, including suspension or outright revocation of the concession, if the company fails to meet its obligations.
The petitioners lamented that their previous complaints had been ignored, stressing that their patience has run out and urging the government to act decisively in defence of the communities’ interests.
