NATIONAL TREE PLANTING DAY OBSERVED IN PORT LOKO By Hassan Bruz Northern Bureau Chief The People of the Northern District of Port Loko have observed the National Tree Planting Day under the theme – Green Environment for Prosperity. The Occasion which was organised by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security, ended with the planting of several hundreds of fast growing Trees at Lal-Pate along the Port Loko / Gberay Junction Highway in the Maforki Chiefdom. According to the Port Loko District Director of Agriculture -Eddie Layah Bewoh this Environmental Sanity, is in alignment with the Agenda for Prosperity and an adherence to the clarion call of His Excellency- President Ernest Bai Koroma. He said his District is seriously engaged in a massive reforestation exercise because of the prevailing natural hazards in the Country and the World as a whole. The District Director of Agriculture said, the main objective of the exercise was to help People plant Trees in a bid to protect their respective Communities so as to avert the corresponding disasters of deforestation. At the Gberay Junction Community Barray where statements were made by various Stakeholders Natives were encouraged by the Deputy Chairman of the Port Loko District Council-Councillor Ibrahim Santigie Bangura who described Tree Planting as a National event declared by Government in an attempt to address Climate Change or Global Warming. He therefore encouraged the People of Port Loko District to take the lead in planting at least 5 Trees for any one that is cut down so as to avert draughts, flood and other related disasters. In his keynote address, the Director of Forestry -William Bangura observed that there has been an immense logging of Timber and Charcoal Burning so much so that there was now a prevailing change of Climate in the Country .He noted that there is no longer any forest areas in most parts of the Country and explained how it is causing the Seas to rise. He made a particular reference to the 21th of March which used to be the hottest day of the year, and how it has now become a rainy day in this Country. The Director of Forestry praised the efforts of President Koroma and Government for both the vision and political- will in ensuring that Community Members including School going Pupils do actively participate in the sensitisation process. Earlier in his welcome address, James G Kamara who deputised for the Gberay Junction Ward Councillor, said that was the second time their Locality is being selected as venue for Tree Planting. He said they were very much grateful to the Ministry of Forestry together with the Organisers for making their locality a venue for such an important event. He was buttressed by the Section Chief who confessed that their Community has been repeatedly hit by Storms, and that even the roof of his residence was recently blown off by a storm. He recalled the efforts of late Paramount Chief Alikali Modou of Maforki Chiefdom in preaching against the burning of Charcoal in his Chiefdom. He said the indiscriminate logging of timbers and charcoal burning has also resulted to less farm lands and poor harvests in upland land farming. He therefore called on the Port Loko District Council to intervene without further delay. Apart from Madam Isha Mamuna Conteh who represented the Women in Agriculture whose contribution was based on an appeal for alternative offer by Government as Timber Logging and Charcoal burning has been a reliable source of livelihood for most homes. Mr. Sheriff on behalf of the Timber Dealers’ Association, embraced the idea of Tree Planting while Gerald Aruna who represented the None Governmental Organisations operating in the Port Loko District, confirmed that Gberay Junction in a disaster pruned zone. He based his contribution on the need to refrain from all forms of deforestation and its harmful effects. Gerald further observed how Agricultural productivity has greatly been decreased as a result of these activities. He therefore appealed to the Organisers to have the exercise of Tree Planting extended to other Communities is the District. Below are some Photos obtained on that eventful Day.... .
Posted on: Sat, 05 Jul 2014 10:29:00 +0000
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