Experts have urged stakeholders in the forestry and agriculture profession to help in preserving Nigeria’s natural resources in order to promote the country’s economy.
Ekiti State’s Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Princess Iyabo Fakunle Okeihemen stated this during a one-day workshop organized by the Ekiti State forestry commission in Ado Ekiti.
She further stated that conservation of forest reserves, reforestation of depleted woodlots and coordination of lumbering activities have been well managed in the state revealing that a roadmap document for forestry resources management has been developed with a non-governmental organization to guide medium-term planning.
The Commissioner further stressed that forest rangers in the State have been fortified and trained for forest reserves, protection against illegal lumbering, wildfire, and narcotic cultivation among others.
The Chairman of the Commission, Hon. Kayode Olaosebikan explained that the programme was organized for stakeholders in the forestry sector in order to improve the skills and enhance more economic benefits for communities across the state.
He further charged stakeholders and other residents of the State to cultivate the habit of planting more trees while stressing that felling of a tree has the capacity to destroy other trees in the bush.
Technical Advisor to the Governor of Ekiti state on forestry, Dr. Olly Owen pointed out that forestry management should not be left in the hands of government only stressing that afforestation can be done in Ekiti State for empowerment and economic benefit.
He further stated that private sector, public sector, youths and non-governmental organization must be involved in order to achieve a desirable result while charging stakeholders to ensure the adequate replacement of trees cut from the forest, adding that timber is a renewable resource that can further increase the IGR of the state.
Packaged By Emmanuel Adeniran
