Rex Forestry has reached a significant milestone in its commitment to sustainable development and community empowerment within Ondo State. Operating through a long-term Public–Private Partnership with the Ondo State Government, the company has completed the construction and rehabilitation of over 50 kilometres of strategic access roads.
These infrastructure projects target critical routes that were previously difficult to navigate, especially during the rainy season. By improving these roads, Rex Forestry Limited is facilitating safer and more reliable movement for farmers, traders, school children, and service providers.
Key completed projects include:
- Onipetesi-Afore Road (23 km): Fully rehabilitated to support the transport of residents and agricultural goods.
- Leege-Laje Road (28 km): Upgraded to provide essential connectivity across various rural settlements.
- Lisagbede and Karaole Roads: Focused rehabilitation projects totalling nearly 1 kilometre to address specific access challenges within community clusters.
For Rex Forestry, infrastructure is more than a logistical requirement; it is a vital investment in the economic and social wellbeing of host communities. By closing rural infrastructure deficits, these roads open doors to essential services, education, and broader market opportunities.
Mr. Vincent Servais, Managing Director of Rex Forestry Limited, notes that sustainable forestry must be inextricably linked with sustainable community development. This philosophy drives the company’s ongoing efforts, which include utilizing locally sourced contractors for construction works.
Building on this momentum, Rex Forestry Limited has budgeted for nearly 100 kilometres of additional road development in 2026. This expansion will continue to align operational needs with community access, ensuring that local development keeps pace with the company’s growth in the Oluwa Forest Reserve.
Rex Forestry Limited, a sustainable forestry and plantation management company operating within the Oluwa Forest Reserve, has completed the construction and rehabilitation of more than 50 kilometres of strategic access roads across multiple rural communities in Ondo State. The initiative forms part of the company’s ongoing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme, focused on strengthening essential infrastructure and improving livelihoods within its host communities.
Operating under a long-term Public–Private Partnership (PPP) concession with the Ondo State Government across the OA, OA2 and OA6 zones, Rex Forestry continues to invest in infrastructure that supports both sustainable forestry operations and inclusive community development.
Key Road Projects Delivered
As part of this programme, several priority road corridors were successfully upgraded:
- Onipetesi–Afore Road (23 km) – fully rehabilitated to improve access for residents and the safe transport of agricultural produce
- Leege–Laje Road (28 km) – upgraded to strengthen connectivity between rural settlements
- Lisagbede Road (0.3 km) and Karaole Road (0.6 km) – rehabilitated to resolve critical access challenges within community clusters
These routes, previously difficult to navigate, especially during the rainy season, now provide improved mobility for farmers, traders, school children, and service providers traveling between rural communities and key economic centres.
The road works were executed in collaboration with locally sourced contractors, reinforcing Rex Forestry’s commitment to local employment and community participation. Beyond completing current projects, the company has planned nearly 100 kilometres of additional road development for 2026, supporting both plantation expansion and community access.
Through sustained investment in transport infrastructure, Rex Forestry is positioning rural connectivity as a critical driver of social and economic inclusion, rather than solely an operational requirement.
Commenting on the milestone, Vincent Servais, Managing Director of Rex Forestry Limited, stated:
“Our operations are deeply interconnected with the communities around us. Investing in resilient road infrastructure is not only about supporting our activities, but also about ensuring that host communities benefit from improved access, safer mobility, and stronger economic linkages. Sustainable forestry must go hand in hand with sustainable community development.”
Driving Long-Term Impact
As Nigeria continues efforts to address rural infrastructure deficits, private sector contributions within concession areas play an increasingly vital role. For Rex Forestry, road development is a long-term investment in market access, education, healthcare, safety, and economic opportunity.
For communities that were once seasonally isolated, improved road networks are transforming mobility and opening new pathways for local development—supporting both community resilience and sustainable forest management.