By Kingsley Agim
In line with the objective of mitigating climate change by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases through sustainable forest management, Cross River State has launched her Investment Plan for United Nations’ Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (UN-REDD+) Programme.
Launching the CRS-REDD+ Investment Plan recently at Transcorp Hotels, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams expressed delight at the level of progress recorded, stating that the REDD+ Programme is one that is dear to Cross River State.
The Speaker noted that because of the high regards the State places on the Programme, he sought excuse from his Honourable colleagues at plenary, which is an unusual plea, just to grace the event.
Rt. Hon. Williams assured all stakeholders of the 9th State Assembly’s support of the REDD+ Programme, urging them to always call on the legislature should a need arises for review of laws or legislations that would further strengthen its activities in the State.
Also speaking, the Representative of UNDP, Mr. Godfrey Oluka congratulated the Cross River REDD+ achievement, while thanking the State Government for the political will that has made the Investment Plan possible and created a leeway for further success in the sector.
The UNDP representative described the Investment Plan as an impressive and comprehensive one, repleted with all the potency for further achievements, adding that it would serve as a model for development.
He thanked stakeholders for the concerted efforts put in place to have come thus far, and charged them to be seamless and deepen synergy in order to achieve the Programme’s objective.
In his remarks, the Programme’s National Coordinator, Dr. Moses Ama pointed out that Cross River being the first to come out with an Investment Plan, among the seven States in the country cements its place, without contention, as a centre for excellence for the REDD+ Programme.
Dr. Ama who expressed pleasure that “the programme has finally left the valley of readiness to the hilltop of investment,” further charged stakeholders to double their efforts in ensuring that the objective of the Programme is achieved to the latter.
Earlier in his keynote address, the Commissioner for Climate Change and Forestry, Ntufam Donatus Etim , represented by the Special Adviser on Climate Change, Professor Augustine Ogogo, stated that with the issues of climate change taking a front burner in international discourse, the REDD+ Programme has become a veritable platform to mitigating the dangers characterized by unsustainable forest management.
The Commissioner maintained that Cross River being the first State in the country to key into the UNREDD Programme will continue to champion mitigation of global warming and promote climate change matters.
In his welcome address, the State Coordinator of Cross River State REDD+, Mr. Patrick Coco Bassey said the Investment Plan would serve as a veritable tool for the effective implementation of CRS REDD+ strategy of addressing deforestation and degradation in the forest sector.
He stated that the document will equally serve as a funding framework to draw significant green project investments from various sources including Soveriegn Green Bonds, private sector agricultural companies, etc.
The State Coordinator commended the stakeholders for their painstaking efforts and called for deeper collaboration in the days ahead.
The event also featured Goodwill messages from the Commissioners for Establishment, Dr Alice Ekwu and International Development Cooperation, Dr. Inyang Asibong, Cross River Forestry Commission, High Chief Tony Undiandeye, The Chief Economic Adviser and Vice Chairman, State Planning Commission, Mr. Francis Ntamu as well as the State Conservator of Park, Mrs Caroline Olory.
Other notable guests at the occasion included: UNDP Consultants - Barrister Sylvester Okonofua, Mr. Simon Adedoyin and Mr. Tony Attah.
Also present were, Member representing Boki 1 State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Itam Abang, Member representing Obubra 1 State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Friday Okpechi and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change and Forestry, Mr. Felix Ekpenyong Ita.
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