By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
Presenting the Ministry of Environment’s deliverables for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022, Permanent Secretary (PS) Nancy K. Tengbeh has disclosed they have approximately replanted 2,340 (two thousand, three hundred and forty) acres of degraded land in all the 14 districts of the country with trees and other commercial trees during the implementation of Phase one of the National Tree Planting Project.
Speaking at the Ministry of Finance’s budget hearing on the 23rd of September 2022, she added that the official launch of Phase two of the National Tree Planting Project was done on the 30th of July 2022 in all regions and that the planting of 1,600,000 (one million and six hundred) trees is said to be currently in progress.
She noted that the ministry has completed the procurement process which led to the awarding of contracts to five contractors for the supply of assorted seedlings to 137 (one hundred and thirty-seven) Service Providers in degraded areas in all the regions of the country for planting and maintenance. She said the assorted seedlings project has created awareness and fostered a genuine interest in the population to plant trees.
“The inclusion of other commercial trees such as fruit trees for the sustainability and livelihood aspect of the project has made it very attractive to the communities,” she said.
Tengbeh noted that they have created about 7,500 ( Seven thousand, five hundred) jobs in Phase one of the Tree Planting Project, mostly in rural communities which she said is one of the drivers in the Medium Term National Development Plan (MTNDP). She said that the Gender aspect of the project’s activities is said to be a contributing factor in accepting the project at community levels.
“Women are involved in seedling transportation, transplanting, watering, and several key project activities. The level of female involvement in project activities will be monitored throughout project implementation, as a key determinant of the success of the project,” she explained.
She reiterated their continued intensification of regional radio, television, and community education and information campaigns to reduce harmful practices to the environment. She said they have also updated existing jingles on climate change, deforestation, water, and air and soil pollution on Ozone depletion for airing on all radio stations across the country.
Tengbeh spoke about them developing a five-year National Environmental Communication Strategy, its implementation, that she confirmed, is underway. She said they have also developed curricula that include Environmental and Climate change issues in schools, colleges, and universities.
“We are currently working on the State of the Environment Report to raise awareness and provide information to the public on environmental issues,” she said.
She also said that they have developed six sector-specific Environmental, Social, Health Impact Assessment (ESHIA) regulations for mining companies and industrial establishments to ensure appropriate mitigation and adaptation measures are taken before, during, and after relevant operations.
The ministry’s administrative head said for FY 2023, they will continue to strengthen the overall coordination of their programmes and foster policy and programme coherence. She went on to say that, they will continue efficient and effective implementation of Environmental legislation, and ensure routine Environmental Risk Assessment to improve quality control.
She recommended for the provision of funds for the establishment and equipping of regional offices and for the Ministry of Finance to provide them with adequate budgetary allocation for efficient and effective service delivery.
The Ministry of the Environment is mandated to formulate and facilitate the implementation of appropriate policies and programmes for sustainable management and protection of the Environment.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (26/09/22)
