DEFORESTATION: DELTA GOVT COMMENCES 50, 000 TREES PLANTING, ARRESTS Three ILLEGAL SAW MILLERS

In a bid to check the intensity of global warming and deforestation across the state, Delta State government yesterday commenced no fewer than 50, 000 trees’ planting in various towns across the 25 Local government areas in the state.

While the state government also disclosed that three illegal saw millers were recently arrested within Oghara town on a tip off and are currently being prosecuted, it reiterated its stand to maintain the ban on the use of handsaw in all forest reserves as a means of checking rapid deforestation, as well as the menace of illegal wood across the state.

Mr. John Nani, the State Commissioner for Environment who spoke to journalists in Asaba on government’s determination to make deforestation in the state a history, said the state government will not renege on the ban, on the use of handsaw in all the forest reserves, adding that the recent protest support by members of the State Saw millers’ Association, indicated strong support for Okowa led administration and explained that the tree planting process would ensured replacement of the deforest ones.

His words; “we know the importance of having trees in our forests, irrational wood cutting is not good for the environment, what we have done is to follow the state forestry laws, we want to protect Deltans and ensure the ongoing tree planting is not truncated”.

But a member of the state saw millers’ association, Mrs. Victoria Umubreme had earlier told journalists that sawmills in the state were currently operating below installed capacity as a result of irrational tree felling, adding that the recent ban on hand sawing in forests within the state by government, was laudable.

She appealed to the state government for the revitalization of the Sapoba plantation in BC 28 containing 1.8 million Gmelina Arbora trees planted by African Timber and Plywood (AT & P) in 1986 that indiscriminately divested by hand sawyers.

In another development, no fewer than 10, 000 women including widows, youths and less privileged drawn from all the communities in Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state, yesterday benefited from the ongoing empowerment programme embarked upon by the Awele Chigbue Foundation (ACF).

Speaking to journalists, the sponsor/financier, Barr. Henry Awele Chigbue said that he embarked on the project as part of his commitment and contributions towards reducing the sufferings of the people.

Barr. Chigbue a native of Issele Umuekea in the community, remarked that though he is not the richest man in the community, but had found the need for every average living person in Ibusa to look inwards on how to assist the less privileged.

The empowerment programme which was held at the Amusement Park Ibusa, attracted prominent personalities to the event including some top government functionaries. Some of the beneficiaries, including an 80-year old widow, Mrs. Maria Nwokeko, Mr. Anthony Odibei, among others, expressed appreciation and thanks to the organizers of the project.