… set to plant 5m trees annually as part of efforts to rejuvenate the forest ecosystem
Rt. Hon. Dr. George O’ben-Etchi, Chairman/CEO of Cross River State Forestry Commission, on Friday, participated in a one-day workshop organized by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in Calabar.
The workshop with the theme, ‘The Crisis of Forest Loss and Threats to Rural Economy in Cross River State’, was aimed at raising awareness among forest stakeholders about the importance of sustainable management for the Cross River Forest and to boost the rural economy.
During his presentation, the Chairman/CEO of Cross River State Forestry Commission emphasized the significance of increasing forest cover, conserving ecosystems, and enhancing the rural economy in Cross River State. He highlighted the necessity for collaborative efforts among key stakeholders in sustainable forest management.
He reiterated the state government’s commitment to proactively tackle any challenges that would improve the rural economy and address environmental issues such as deforestation, biodiversity loss, and degradation.
He commended the NCF and other NGOs for their positive initiatives, which focus on capacity building, institution strengthening, and support for endeavors that promote sustainable forest management.
O’ben-Etchi shared that the Commission introduced the Permitteeship System to ensure the sustainable management of the forest following the lifting of a 17-year ban on logging by Governor Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, prioritizing afforestation as a key aspect of the commission’s mandate.
Expanding on the topic, he mentioned that the state government plans to plant five million trees annually as a crucial component of its afforestation and forest regeneration initiatives.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the Commissioners for Tourism, Arts and Culture Hon. Abubakar Ewa and Crop Production and Irrigation Development Mr. Johnson Ebokpo, along with the representative of forest host communities in Akamkpa & Yakurr LGAs, and the Conservator of Park from Cross River National Park.
The one-day meeting concluded with the validation of the draft stakeholders’ position-communique on forest logging and the lifting of the ban in Cross River State.
The Stakeholders unanimously commended the Cross River State Government for its sustainable forest management approaches.
Attendees included representatives from the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, key State MDAs, Cross River National Park, Traditional Rulers from NCF’s project locations, and various NGOs, among others.
