From Rhoda Godwin, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, at the weekend, frowned at the level of impunity with which natural endowments in the country were being despoiled.
He said if deliberate steps were not taking to check the unwholesome trend, the present generation would not be able to bequeath a viable and healthy environment to posterity.
The Deputy Governor expressed this concern at a tree planting ceremony organized by the Ethan-Rose Foundation in collaboration with Lirio-Wylls Gardens and Park, and Rotary District 9141at the Peace Park in Yenagoa.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, emphasised the need for everyone to take the issue of tree planting seriously as part of efforts to preserve the already endangered environment in the state.
According to him, tree planting has so many benefits to the natural environment and man because it helps in the supply of quality oxygen, control of erosion and several raw materials for industrial and economic purposes.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, insisted that everyone has a role to play in the task of safeguarding the environment because no one is insulated from the negative effects of environmental degradation occasioned by deforestation and other human activities.
He commended the organizers of the programme and assured them and other willing organizations of the present administration’s support in promoting the planting of coconut and other economic trees to drive its economic diversification agenda.
The Bayelsa number two man made it clear that the environment was more precious to man than anything else, and therefore, charged the state Ministry of Environment to replicate the tree planting exercise in all the local government areas of the state.
His words, “As a state, we need to do more in the area of tree planting because our forest reserves are almost gone and we face a gradual, yet steady existential threat from environmental destruction.
“Let me warn that the present danger from the despoliation of the environment should not be lost on anyone; everyone of us has a role to play in the task to safeguard our environment.
“The question we should constant ask ourselves is: if our parents had abused and misused the earth the way we are doing today, would we have survived? For me, the answer is no. That is why we must take the issue of tree planting and other healthy environmental practices seriously”, he said.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Wife of the Governor, Justice Patience Ama Diri, reminded the people of the theme of this year’s Environment Day, stressing that there is only one earth, and by extrapolation, one Bayelsa, that must be protected at all cost.
Justice Diri said the environment was a priceless asset to mankind, noting that society should not only talk about protecting it but to act by taking practical steps to preserve it.
She observed that Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, was relatively beautiful because of the trees and ecological gardens which dominate its landscape, and thanked Ethan-Rose for taking the lead in the tree planting project in Bayelsa.
In her welcome address, the Executive Secretary of Ethan-Rose Foundation, Annette David-West said the event was not only part of this year’s World Environment Day celebration but also aimed at protecting and beautifying the Bayelsa environment.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council and Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, King Bubaraye Dakolo, said the Niger Delta region was carrying a huge burden to sustain Nigeria with its environmental resources.
He said the attendant depletion of the environment had brought about flooding, pollution, and other environmental challenges that adversely affect the health and livelihoods of the people.
The Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Right Hon. Abraham Ingobere, represented by the member representing Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency 2, Hon. Wisdom Fafi, the Head of Service, Dame Biobelemoye Charles-Onyema and the Environment Commissioner, Chief Iselema Gbaranbiri, all pledged support to the tree planting initiative.
