By Favour Goodness
Stakeholders have called for government support through funding and logistics for restoration of Forest Reserves in the state.
In the past there were eight reserves and with devastation the state is now left with just six, struggling to survive.
The call was made at a two day workshop, “Anambra Forest – Landscape Restoration Action Plan,“ organised by Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) in partnership with the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka in the Anambra capital.
Speaking on a topic “Forest Status and Conservation Challenges in Anambra State,’’ the Head of Department of Forestry and Wildlife Department Anambra State Ministry of Environment, Mrs Onyinye Achugamonye said that forestry had numerous economic and ecological benefits but had not been secure and properly managed.
She maintained that adequate forestry policies should be enacted to encourage the conservation of forest reserves as well as adequate tree planting for sustainable forest management.
Mrs Achugamonye, however, solicited the employment of staff members into the Ministry as there were few staff members to discharge the duties of many.
In his Goodwill message the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr C Don Adinuba re-forestation of reserves in Anambra was important to help in the mitigation of Global warming currently devastating the environment in the state.
On poor handling of refuse generated in Onitsha, the commercial city of the state, the commissioner blamed this high erosion menace in the area.
The commissioner said that the government of Anambra had mobilised all relevant agencies under it to reverse the trend.
The ministry was making comprehensive arrangements to collaborate with the Ministry of Environment to begin a sustainable way at educating the populace on how best to dispose of wastes at designated centres instead of the drainages.
“There must be a stop to indiscriminate dumping of refuse in water channels; sensitisation will emphasise the desired change of the mindsets of the people, a major challenge facing the Government.’’
The Information Commissioner, Mr Adinuba was represented at the event by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor (SSA) on Media to the Governor Mr Tony Nezianya.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof Charles Esimone affirmed that 40 forest guards had been trained by the institution to maintain clean environment and deter people from indiscriminate felling of trees in the university environment.
While commending NCF for their efforts, the VC noted that he would be introducing rewards and sanctions to promote environmental values among staff members and the students.
He explained that under the arrangement, various faculties in the institution would be awarded the prizes as “Best Environment-Friendly Faculty Awards and Environmental Ambassadors Awards.
Prof Esimone said the department found wanting in keeping up improvements in the environment would be sanctioned through deductions of certain amounts from their monthly allocations.
“This will help us in fulfilling our plans for introducing an Igbo culture and environment in our General Studies.’’
The VC, then, advised people to have personal commitments toward safety of the environment and invest in environmental waste management as the government could not achieve it alone.
Earlier in his address, the Director Technical Programmes Dr Joseph Onoja from NCF said the workshop was held in line with the Federal Government mandate to plant 25 million trees within the next three years.
“There is therefore the need for a conscious action plan as 45- 70,000 trees are expected to be planted in the state.”
The event was capped by an inauguration of the Anambra State Technical Working Committee on Forest Landscape Restoration.
