16 June 2014 - Western Equatoria’s Ibba County stands to gain $150,000 a year from a company planning to harvest and plant teak there following an agreement signed today in the capital Yambio.

The Indian-based Hakim Company signed a 30-year memorandum of understanding with the Western Equatoria government to take over the existing Rizarie Forestry Teak reserve planted in 1950.

Ibba County Brigade Nagomoro said the company was the first to invest in area teak, which it had already begun cutting, with plans to plant next year.

“It is good for Hakim Company to harvest and plant teak, instead of rampant illegal cutting …. which cannot benefit the whole community,” he said.

The local community formed a committee last month to open a bank account for Hakim’s annual $150,000 contribution. As an initial project, the committee hopes to build a school.

The company has already created employment opportunities and improved roads between Ibba and Nabanga Payam.

Commissioner Nagoromo said Hakim would be closely monitored by the government and Ibba community, as other companies had exploited resources and given nothing back to the community.

Western Equatoria Minister of Commerce, Trade and Investment Simon Ngbi-di-gi recently visited Ibba County to tell residents about the teak agreement and how they would benefit from it.

Paramount Chief Marona Sako promised to support the company, which will train local youth and help develop Ibba County. “We need Hakim Company to employ our youth and train them on different skills instead of bringing people from outside.”