The
Association of Wood Re-exporters and the forest users in The Gambia yesterday
embarked on a massive tree planting and replacement of lost trees at the
entrance of the Banjul airport.
The
exercise that was presided over by the Minister of Environment, saw over one
hundred tree seedlings being planted.
Speaking
at the exercise, the chairman of the Association of Wood Re-Exporters and
forest users in The Gambia, Lamin Barrow, thanked all those that were able to
make it to this very import exercise.
He
said the re-export trade has generated a lot to Gambia and Gambians in terms of
employment, income generation to individuals and families as well as the
government.
He
said the exercise which started in 2013, is to embark on such tree planting
exercise in one of the most important locations in The Gambia, all geared
towards attracting investors.
Mr
Barrow stressed on the importance attached to the re-export trade and how it
has impacted profitably on the livelihood of Gambian youths.
He
noted that it is a duty for every forest user to replant a tree, according to
the forest Act, saying that the association decided to plant trees along the
road from the entrance to the Airport.
He
said this was their contribution towards complementing government’s effort in
nation building, noting that as timber dealers, they have experienced and
enjoyed the opportunities derived from the forest in the last three years.
Mr
Barrow thanked the Civil Aviation for their contribution towards the
sustainability of the previous tree planting that was carried out by the
association at the airport gate.
He
said there was a MoU that was signed between his association and the civil
aviation to take care of the planted trees.
“We
are still appealing to the civil aviation to continue the partnership with the
association to ensure the nurture, growth and sustainability of the seedlings.”
For
his part, the Minister of Environment, Lamin Dibba, commended the Association
of Wood Re-exporters and forest users for taking up the bold initiatives.
He
declared it a pleasure for him to be part of the exercise, adding that it was
important as a community and association to recognise the importance of trees
in the environment.
He
disclosed that the new policy was looking at putting 30 per cent of the total
land in the country under forest cover.
He
urged the timber users to respect the law of the land, as it was passed by the
National Assembly, who are elected by them to represent them in policy
formulation.
Other
speakers included the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Environment and
the Public Relations Manager of Gambia Civil Aviation Authority, who both
stressed the need for more tree planting to replace the felled and lost trees.
They
also stressed on the importance attached to forest cover and commended the
association of re-exporters for the initiative geared towards complementing
government’s effort and mitigate the effects of climate change on the
environment.
