By: Eugene Upah
The Cross River State Government has launc
hed statewide tree planting and forest regeneration activities across the three senatorial districts, as part of efforts to strengthen environmental conservation and restore degraded forest areas.
The exercise commenced with a statewide inspection tour of Forestry Commission nurseries by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Reforestation and Ecosystem, Hon. Lebo Edu.
During the tour, Edu visited the Ogoja, Ikom, Awi and Calabar forestry zones to assess the condition and operational capacity of government nurseries ahead of the planting season.
At each zone, the Special Adviser met with Zonal Directors, Charge Officers, Chief Rangers, nursery supervisors and other uniformed personnel to evaluate readiness and discuss strategies for improving reforestation programmes across the state.
Speaking during the inspection, Edu said the exercise forms part of the administration’s broader plan to ensure the effective implementation of tree planting and ecosystem restoration initiatives.
“Healthy and well-managed nurseries are essential to achieving the state’s environmental sustainability goals,” he said. “This inspection is to ensure we have the right seedlings, the right structures and the right coordination to drive forest regeneration in Cross River.”
Officials who received the Special Adviser included the Zonal Director for Ogoja, Dr. Joseph Ugbe; Zonal Director for Ikom, Mr. Samuel Njar; Zonal Director for Awi, Mrs. Rose Ayang; and Zonal Director for Calabar, Mrs. Obia James.
Other forestry officials present were Dr. Effing Ndowon, Mr. Utsu, Mr. Ubi Ubana, Mr. Arikpo Arikpo, Mrs. Scholastica Abang, Mr. Etim Bounvita, Mr. Sunday Mbang, Mr. Otonko David, Mr. Makama Effiong, Mr. Effiong Effiong, as well as Charge Officers, Chief Rangers, nursery supervisors and other Forestry Commission personnel.
The government said the statewide inspection is expected to strengthen coordination among forestry officials and ensure that nursery operations meet the requirements for the ongoing tree planting exercise.
The initiative shows the ‘People’s First’ administration’s commitment to forest conservation, expanding nursery development, and promoting sustainable reforestation and ecosystem restoration to preserve the state’s biodiversity and tackle the effects of climate change.
Cross River is home to one of Nigeria’s largest remaining rainforests, and the government says the regeneration programme will help protect watersheds, combat desertification and support livelihoods dependent on forest resources.
