A tree is now taking roots at the esplanade of the historic Parliamentarian Flats in Buea planted mid day, 19 December, 2012, by Honourable Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, Speaker of Cameroon's National Assembly. The Vice Speaker, Honourable Emilia Monjowa Lifaka, had worked round the clock to set the stage for the event that took place in her constituency and the yard of the hotel that hosted MPs of the former West Cameroon.
The exercise was carried out under the banner of the Parliamentary Network for the Sustainable Management of Forest Eco-System in the Central African Sub-Region (REPAR). After Buea in Fako Regional Capital, the Speaker left for Bombe - Mbonge Sub-division in Meme Division to perform a similar exercise.
In a thoroughly researched paper to justify the tree planting exercise, Honourable Samuel Bokwe from Meme Division listed out the cultural, economic, social and even political usefulness of trees such that the animal species, man inclusive, cannot do without. More so, Honourable Bokwe explained in a sensitisation talk that trees were indispensable in the fight against climate change. Honourable Bokwe reminded the large audience at the occasion that climate change was now featuring rains to stay when not needed and the rains do not come when needed. He drew out a list of diseases that now threaten humankind due to climate change to include malaria, typhoid, and enumerated the negative impact of climate change on the agriculture that remains the economic backbone of the Cameroonian society.
On welcoming the Speaker and a host of parliamentarians, Buea's Mayor, Mbella Moki Charles, hoped that the trees would enable even a more beautiful environment of Buea that is waiting to host the celebration of 50 years of reunification announced for Buea by the Head of State, President Paul Biya.
A total of 2,000 trees are programmed to be planted in Buea for which REPAR signed a convention with the Buea Council. Mayor Mbella Moki, who had in the past been very vocal about effective planting of trees to replace the excessive water consuming eucalyptus on the slopes of Mount Cameroon, happily signed for the Buea Council while Honourable Zang Jean Jacques appended his signature as coordinator of the REPAR.
