Ibba County, Western Equatoria State, stands to gain thousands of dollars annually after it signed a deal to manage its forest, the Commissioner has announced.

The Indian-based Hakim Company recently signed a 30-year memorandum of understanding with the state government to take over the existing Rizarie Forestry Teak reserve.

The forest was first planted in 1950.

“They have offered a lot of employments for the youth who have been loitering around and these are school dropouts and even people who have never been to school,” Ms Brigitte Nagomoro told Eye Radio.

“With the coming of Hakim Company, I feel this is much better as it gives a lot of benefits to the community; they are able to cut one tree and plant five new ones.

Ms Nagomoro said the local community has formed a committee to open a bank account for Hakim’s annual contribution.

The initial funds raised will be used for constructing a school.