By Foday Moriba Conteh
As part of their commitment to support afforestation in the country, the Rokel Commercial Bank in partnership with Keeping Hope Alive has on Monday 6th July, 2020 celebrated the first Anniversary of their Tree Planting Site. The event took place at the Tree Planting Site at Petefu Village, in Masiaka, Koya Chiefdom, Port Loko District.
In his address, the Minister of Environment, Prof. Foday Moriba Jaward, disclosed that the issue of the environment is at the heart of the New Direction Government underscoring that it is why the President, Julius Maada Bio out of his wisdom created the Ministry of Environment in order to overseer issues relating to the environment in the country.
He extended appreciation to the Rokel Commercial Bank and Keeping Hope Alive for the initiative which ,he described, as a move in the right direction in protecting the environment. He called on other institutions to emulate what the Bank and Keeping Hope Alive undertook.
The Minister noted that issues of the environment were not taken seriously in the past maintaining that it is not the first time that these issues have emerged, referencing 2008 when the Environment Protection Agency(EPA) came into being in order to remedy those very issues relating to the environment.
He stated that during his tenure at EPA he was able to work with partners to create an Environment Court in order to enforce laws that have to do with the protection of the environment, noting that there are lots of laws on the environment but said the implementation of those laws is problematic.
Prof. Foday Moriba Jaward said the Ministry on the 5th June, 2020, during the World Environment Day, launched a National Tree Planting Project revealing how they have so far planted over 2000 trees at Motormeh, Regent Village, further disclosing that they intend to plant more tress in order to support afforestation. He urged all to engage in tree planting so as to protect the environment.
On her part, Executive Director of Keeping Hope Alive, Neneh Tunis expressed thanks and appreciation to Rokel Commercial Bank for the partnership, adding that she felt good to celebrate their 1st anniversary of their tree planting site. She said that shows their passion and commitment to support, protect the environment for the good of all as human beings depend on the environment for resources that could be used domestically such as food, water, shelter ete.but lamented that although we depend on the environment for our livelihoods yet we still play negative roles in degrading and depleting the environment.
She highlighted that all the negative things we do to the environment have resulted in dire consequences such as climate change, mudslides, flooding, etc. adding that these are sufficient evidence that there is need to stop these negative activities and for Sierra Leone to engage in afforestation.
Managing Director of Rokel Commercial Bank, Dr. Ekundayo Walton Gilpin said that the issue of the environment is a very serious one that needs collectiveness, adding that as a Bank they thought it fit to undertake the Project with the strong conviction that it will contribute towards protecting the environment.
He said they are very determined as a Bank to sustain the project, as they believe in ‘Keeping Hope Alive’ who are their key partner in implementing it.
Dr. Ekundayo Walton Gilpin disclosed that the Bank is also going to undertake massive education on the protection of the environment as deforestation and the dumping of garbage in drainages continue to be on the increase on a daily basis which he said if actions are not taken will contribute to impact negatively on the environment.
He also called on all Sierra Leoneans to treat environmental issues with seriousness in order to protect the environment for generations to come.
Director of Forestry at the Ministry of Agriculture, Kate M.B Karemo-Garnett, also commended the two institutions for their tireless efforts in supporting afforestation in the country. She noted that the forest is very essential with regards food production, providing water saying it plays a great role towards the environment, adding that due to deforestation there has been climate change, flooding etc. Against that backdrop, she called on Sierra Leoneans to stop deforestation and engage in afforestation maintaining how that will help to protect the environment.
She said afforestation is very key in protecting the environment as recent studies have proven that deforestation is a major cause responsible for climate change, landslide, flooding etc.
Kate asserted that Sierra Leone, as a nation, must take action in order to protect the environment and promote bio-diversification, adding that the Ministry of Agriculture as part of their vision has the mandate to properly manage forests which she said will benefit the country in so many ways.
