By Blessing Enagu, CRS-MOI Officer reporting from Ministry of Climate Change and Forestry
The newly-created Department of Afforestation in the Forestry Cluster, has commenced the process of raising tree nurseries for a robust forest regeneration programme across the State.
Special Adviser to the Cross River State Governor on Afforestation, Hon. Bette Obi intimated that the Department is determined to actualize Governor Ben Ayade’s 5 million annual tree planting target, noting that already, about 500,000 polypots have been filled on ground awaiting the arrival of seeds.
Hon. Obi added that the Department is collaborating with international and national Agencies for interventions,which he emphasized is aimed sustaining the premier position of Cross River State in Forest preservation and management.
“We have plans to regenerate, especially our most highly degraded Reserves. Staff are in the field identifying areas of interventions in preparation for our tree plantations and possible enrichment planting sites,”he explained.
The Special Adviser appreciated Governor Ayade for the political will and leadership already exhibited through the budgetary provision for the Department,pointing out that the State will hugely benefit from the tree planting exercise in the nearest future.
