Amosun seeks PPP support to enhance afforestation
The Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, has solicited for more support from public-private participation (PPP), in reviving the depleted forest reserves across the State. Senator Ibikunle Amosun who was represented by the State Commissioner for Forestry, Chief Kolawole Lawal, made the call at the flag-off of 50 hectares take-off of free planting project at Olokemeji in Odeda Local Government Area by Tree Restoration and Planting Company (TRECO).
Govenrnor Amosun said that the protection of the environment through planting of trees and taking care of existing ones should not be left to government alone, saying private bodies should join hands to achieve the set goal.
‘’We all need to make it a point of duty to halt the rate at which our forest resources are being depleted through indiscriminate exploitation without a proper regeneration programme,’’ Amosun said.
The Governor said in spite of high population growth which had brought about an increase in demand for wood among other forest products, required participatory that would ensure policy that would help bridge the gap between forest products demand and supply.
In her remarks, the Minister of Environment, Aminat Muhammed, represented by the Federal Director of Forestry, Mr Philip Bankole, said the rate of deforestation in Nigeria forest reserves was alarming and that all hands must be on deck to revive the forest reserves across the country.
She said that sustained forest reserves could be achieved if the private sector could support afforestation by preventing exploitation activities in the forest through public awareness and sanctions.
On his part the Adamawa State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Hammaji Bulus, underscored the importance of tree planting to life, enjoining stakeholders in the forestry sub-sector to preserve and sustain it to protect human existence.
