WRD: NGO partners with C’River to plant 60,000 trees

From the office of the Cross River State Chairman Forestry Commission CEO Rt.Hon. George Oben Etchi

World Rainforest Day is an international day of awareness observed on June 22 every year with the goal of protecting and restoring rainforests.

The Africa Research Association Development in Nigeria (ARADIN) and Stanbic IBTC have formally collaborated with the office of the Cross River State Chairman Forestry Commission CEO for a flag-off planting ceremony in celebration of World Rainforest Day.

The event took place from June 21, 2024, through June 22, 2024, at Buanchor Community, Boki L.G.A., to highlight it partnership in restoring the Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary. The ceremony was aimed at bringing attention to the critical importance of rainforests and their commitment to environmental conservation. As of when this report was made, 2,000 trees had been planted at the aforementioned location in the Boki Local Government Area.

An interview was conducted with the Chairman of the Forestry Commission, Rt. Hon. George Oben Etchi,

who stated the importance of planting trees and its influence on society. As quoted, “the exercise ongoing is for the world to understand that the forest means a whole lot, which drives home the message that everyone must stop deforestation, illegal logging, and restrain from destroying our heritage.
It is a clear sign for everyone to sit up; the earth is an important place now.\”

Oben-Etchi appreciates the NGO as the flag-off has commenced and the event is meant to last for 3 days starting from June 21, 2024, through July 2024, in the range of planting 60,000 trees in different locations starting from Buanchor to other regions around the Boki Local Government.

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Furthermore, George Oben-Etchi highlighted the participation of the NGO’s during the exercise for executing the planting of trees, as well as the administration of Sen. Prince Bassey Otu, who is also ready for planting over 2,000,000 trees, as may be the case.

The Chairman of the Forestry Commission calls on the citizens of Cross River State to see the need for supporting the Governor as he fosters the planting of trees, maintaining the forest, having bylaws, and sensitizing community occupants on the importance of forestry management.
They also need to see the need to secure the rainforest, stop cutting down trees for wood as a source of finance, and secure the trees to bring a better weather climate.

Together, we can build something that can bring better economic value to the state and country.

In attendance were the commissioner for forestry IV, Hon. Isaac Obo, and Mr. Frank Edu, Director of CPS Forestry, among others from the forestry commission.
And representative from the NGO Africa Research Association Development in Nigeria (ARADIN) and Stanbic IBTC bank”