UNDP-GEF-SGP, WINCO Inaugurate Conservation Project In A’Ibom, Plant 25,000 Trees

By Victor Essang,
UYO

The Women in Nature Conservation (WINCO), with support from the UNDP-Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP), has launched a six-month conservation project at the Stubb’s Creek Forest Reserve in Esit Eket, Akwa Ibom State

The initiative, which was unveiled at an inception meeting in Eket Offiong community, will see the planting of 25,000 trees, including 20,000 indigenous species and 5,000 mangroves.

WINCO Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Emem Umoh, said the project also provides livelihood training for 3,000 residents to reduce dependence on forest resources.

Umoh, who disclosed that the livelihood programme is a component of the project, said, “eneficiaries will include 140 people in poultry farming and 30 in jackfruit value-chain development.

In a good will message, the representative of GEF-SGP-UNDP, Mrs Ufuoma Akpovwovwo congratulated WINCO for championing conservation projects.

Akpovwovwo, noted, “the UNDP GEF SGP acknowledges the importance of collaboration, and this is why we are happy to be part of this important occasion to show our commitment to ensure the successful implementation of the project that is about to commence”

She urged the community to take ownership of the project to ensure sustainability beyond donor support.

The commissioner for Environment, Mr Nsikak Ekong, while commending WINCO for the initiative to implement the project, said ” the project is a testament of the power of collaboration”

Represented by the Permanent secretary in the ministry, Mrs Ikwo Abia, a lawyer, the commissioner pledged the full support of the ministry to ensure the project succeeds.

Goodwill messages were received from the Chairman of Esit Eket, clan Head of Eket Offiong, FeyrEp among others.