2015 Reforestation Campaign: Money For South West Drops By FCFA 7 Million

/By Macdonald Ayang Okumb/

   Money allocated by government for the 2015 reforestation campaign in the South West Region dropped by circa seven million as compared to the amount last year.

FCFA 71 million has been made available this year by government through the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife, MINFOF, down from FCFA 77 million granted last year for the same purpose.

    No official reason has been given for the drop but sources hold that it probably could be as a result of the fact part of the amount distributed to some councils, for example the Buea council, as well as some non governmental organisations last year, was not put to use.

   During a ceremony to launch the 2015 reforestation campaign in the South West Region last week, the Regional Delegate of Forestry and Wildlife, Samuel Eben Ebai, disclosed that the FCFA 71 million will be distributed to the various councils and civil society organisations after the signing of financial conventions for the establishment of a total of 155 hectares of plantation and the maintenance of 147.5 hectares of old plantations.

   The Delegate further clarified that the finances shall be made available by bank transfer immediately the attestation of  bank accounts of the various councils are transmitted to MINFOF to enable them effectively carry out tree planting during this rainy season.

   Considering that the exercise of tree-planting would be a difficult one, Eben Ebai seized the opportunity to urge the beneficiary mayors and presidents of civil society organisations to work in close collaboration with the external services of MINFOF.

   This year, there are four categories of beneficiaries and they include; eight beneficiary councils that have been transferred forest reserves, two councils receiving financial assistance for the first time, NGOs and CIGs receiving financial assistance for the first time as well as nine councils and NGOs receiving financial assistance for plantation maintenance.

   Governor Bernard Okalia Bilai who presided over the occasion, urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the money given them. He said when the exercise shall start, they’ll be a special mission from MINFOF that will come to the field to inspect and that those who’ll fail to meet up with expectations shall be prosecuted in line with laws governing the management of state funds and property.

   The regional reforestation campaign launching follows the national version that took place in Bamenda last 7 May under the patronage of Forestry and Wildlife Minister, Philip Ngole Ngwese.