Multinational companies operating in various communities in Edo State have been urged to contribute positively to those communities and desist from deforestation of such communities.
The Executive Director, Environmental Rights Protection and Friends of the Earth, Mr. Chima William, stated this in Benin City.
Mr. William explained that women were very important in the society hence, the need for their voices to be heard and given a prime place to play their very important roles.
He noted that the essence of the event was to discourage monoculture and land grabbing practices by agro commodities companies in Nigeria and Africa at large.
On her part, the Programme Manager of Forest and biodiversity of ERA, Mrs. Rita Uwaka, explained that as mothers, caregivers and sisters in the communities, their roles cannot be downplayed in the society as regard land grabbing and deforestation because it affects agriculture negatively.
She advocated local production of foods through agroecology to encourage afforestation and reduce devastating effect caused by these multinational companies.
Some of the women from various communities such as Obaretin, Obahiator, Idogbo and others expressed concern over the way and manner companies are treating the community people by neglecting their social corporate responsibilities to the people.
They called on government and other relevant stakeholders to come to their aid and prevail on the management of the companies to do the needful for the people in the communities.
The event was held in preparation of the international day against monoculture and land grabbing practices by agro commodities companies in Africa.
