As part of activities marking the 2025 World Environment Day', the Cross River state government has set aside over one million ornamental trees of various species, for planting across the five urban centres of the state.
The Cross River Commissioner of Environment, Hon. Moses Osogi who made the disclosure during the symbolic tree planting exercise along the Calabar International Conference Centre, CICC, new round about Calabar, disclosed that the exercise will be segmented in other urban centres such as, Ugep, Ikom, Ogoja and Obudu for the beautification of the state and replacement of expired trees.
On government reaction towards felling of expired trees, Osogi states, "His Excellency, Senator, Prince Bassey Otu has given express approval that all aged and expired trees be brought down and replaced immediately with new ones, while the ministry procured five sawing machines to help arrest emergency situations."
He described the theme for this year's World Environment Day' Ending Plastic Pollution in Cross River," as apt signalling the harmful effects of using plastics to human life and its detriment to the environment.
The Commissioner used the opportunity to correct misconceptions on the illegal exploitation of Cross River forest, saying, "What is happening in the state is termed, conserved, selective exploitation, where only selected animals or trees are cut down leaving behind others to grow. The state has enough virgin forest yet to be exploited. The point is the federal government pays oil producing states which Cross River was manipulated out and utilize our forest as a bait with foreign Countries.
Earlier, the Plant Manager, Mfamosing Plant, Larfarge Africa PLC, Milad Hanna had presented about one thousand two hundred Ornamental tree species to the state government as part of its contribution to mark the World Environment Day' celebrations.
"This gesture is in line with Larfarge Africa's strategic policy towards building a better environment at the same time demonstrating our commitment to a healthy environment. We pledge to continuously support efforts that will save our environment for future generations.
Highlight was a carnival floating led by Commissioner Osogi to sensitize the public on the importance of tree planting and other environmental issues.
Hannah Arikpo, Beagle News
