Dare Babalola
Former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has called on the federal government to prioritise security in shea-producing communities, particularly in the Middle Belt region.
Ortom, who spoke on The Cable during a Thursday morning interview, noted that insecurity is a major challenge hindering the growth of the industry, despite the region’s abundance of shea trees.
“Security is a big challenge here,” the former governor said. “The government should not just put on paper that we are going to budget for and produce shea butter without addressing the issue of insecurity, which is very critical.”
He highlighted the importance of preserving shea butter trees, noting that cutting them down for commercial purposes, including charcoal production, is a significant threat to the industry’s sustainability. “When they are cut down, it takes years for new ones to produce shea nuts,” the stakeholder warned.
To address these challenges, Ortom urged the federal government to collaborate with state and local governments to develop a process for salvaging shea butter trees and promoting sustainable practices in the industry. “If the federal government collaborates with state and local governments, there can be a process for salvaging the shea butter trees,” he said.
The former governor’s call to action emphasises the need for a comprehensive approach to developing the shea butter industry, one that prioritises security, sustainability, and community engagement.
