The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Cross River State Forestry Commission, Rt. Hon. George O’ben-Etchi, has praised the initiatives of aDryada/Noblesse Green Energy (NGE) for their intended restoration of the State’s Mangrove Forest Reserve.
O’ben-Etchi expressed his commendation during a visit to Creek town in Odukpani Local Government Area, where he led a delegation of Paris-based investors from aDryda Consortium, her Nigerian partners, Noblesse Green Energy (NGE) Company, along with a team from the Federal government, as part of preparations for the implementation of the ‘Carbon Investment Project’.
He reiterated the unwavering dedication of the state government to cultivating a more sustainable environment for present and future generations. He pointed that the restoration and conservation of forests and the entire ecosystem are crucial priorities in the administration led by Senator (Prince) Bassey Otu, highlighting that the government will persist in crafting policies for sustainable forest management.
He urged community leaders, key stakeholders, youth, and women in communities surrounding the mangrove forest reserve to fully support the project, emphasizing its potential to revitalize the forest and enhance the socio-economic well-being of people in the area
The State Coordinator of the Carbon Investment Project, Dr. (Mrs) Edu Effiom, commended the aDryada Consortium team from Paris, France, Noblesse Green Energy-NGE in Nigeria and the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) as well as the Presidency for choosing Cross River State for the Carbon Investment Project, expressing confidence in a cooperative partnership for the project’s successful execution.
On behalf of the community, HRH Etubom Bassey Inan expressed gratitude to the investors, federal and state governments, acknowledging the potential development and job opportunities the project will bring to his people. He affirmed full support for the project.
Following a town hall meeting with the people of Creek Town, Mr. Kingsley Nwawuba, the team lead and representative of the Director General of NCCC, stated in an interview with journalists that the purpose of their visit was to assess the site (Ada Uko Forest Reserve), verify the extent of invasive species’ invasion into the forest, and emphasize the necessity of forest restoration.
Nwawuba, however, expressed contentment with the observations made by the team on the ground and the warm reception received from the Creek Town Traditional Council and its people.
Mr. Fabio Ferrari, CEO of aDryada Consortium, emphasized that aDryada’s purpose revolves around the restoration and safeguarding of biodiversity. He highlighted Cross River State’s wealth of biodiversity, containing unique ecosystems crucial for preserving global biological diversity.
He expressed gratitude for the Mangrove Forest and underscored the importance of restoring and afforesting it to mitigate carbon emissions.
Additional members of the delegation included Mr. Alain Panhard of aDryada Consortium, Mr. Segun Ademuwagun representing Noblesse Green Energy-NGE, and Mrs. Lara Aromolaran from the Presidency, among several others.
