(Ecofin Agency) - Ali Bongo Ondimba commissioned on Friday the new production site of sustainable palm oil of Olam, in Kango, in the Estuaire province.

The head of state noted that, "faced with the challenges of development, this plant brings an answer which takes into account the local communities and the environment". Moreover, he observed that 800 jobs had already been created. A further 120 signings are planned for the near future. "This public-private partnership thus marks a major step forward in the responsible diversification of our economy", Ali Bongo was pleased to say.

In parallel, this operation includes a support program for farming around Kango, thus directly supporting local communities. Even more, with the plant nursery and the oil palm tree plantation in Kango, the construction of 400 accommodations and social infrastructure has been planned (church, mosque, first aid centre).

To recall, it was in November 2010 that President Ali Bongo signed with Olam, in Singapore, an investment program of 1.25 billion euros. This is about setting up, in the long term, rubber tree and oil palm tree plantations on 300,000 hectares and a fertiliser plant in the Mandji Island free zone, in Port-Gentil.