Govt allocates 80m for reforestation in the north

The minister of Forestry and Wildlife, Ngole Philip Ngwese has announced that FCFA 80 million has been earmarked for the tree planting exercise that was done in Bamenda, north-west region recently.

This was during the launch of the 2015 tree planting season in Cameroon. At the event on Thursday May 7, 2015, Philip Ngwese announced that the FCFA 80 million will give room for the opening of 200 hectares of plantation forest.

Philip Ngwese added that the amount represents 16 per cent of the overall government appropriation in support of tree planting for 2015.

It is on record that some 183 stakeholders including 74 councils, two city councils, 36 Non-governmental Organisations nationwide will receive FCFA 500 million to open 1.250 hectares of plantation forest while 57 councils 12 NGOs and one chiefdom will receive FCFA 70 million for plantation upkeep.

The Minister called on all beneficiaries to use the money judiciously as the law awaits anybody that will embezzle the grant. He said the decentralisation of the grant will permit proper follow up by regional services.

The Government Delegate to the Bamenda City Council- BCC Vincent Ndumu Nji announced that some 237,000 trees have been planted in the region since 2010.

He promised the support of the Bamenda City Council in the reforestation programme, adding that the BCC in the nearest future will intensify tree planting.

Cameroon is home to rich and abundant biodiversity, which places her in the second position in the Congo Basin and fifth in Africa. This biodiversity represents an ecological and economic potential that is yet to be fully harnessed.

The country can boost of 22,5 million hectares, about 46 per cent of the total surface area and 14 million hectares, 80 per cent of which is already witnessing selective exploitation.

Prior to the launch of the tree planting exercise, the Forestry and Wildlife Minister inaugurated the building that will hence host the regional delegation of Forestry and Wildlife for the region.

Philip Ngwese said the two-storey building is the fruit of the corporation between France and Cameroon. He urged the contractor to do finishing touches as specified in the contract.

The over FCFA 359 million building is constructed on a 400-meter square piece of land. It has 25 offices, 16 toilets, two conference hall, two rest rooms, one store, internet connection, electricity and water.