By John Ighodaro
CALABAR—Cross River State Government has reiterated its commitment to the sustenance of the planet through well thought-out environmental policies, standards and programmes.
Governor Liyel Imoke in a key note address on the occasion of the 2010 World Environment Day celebration in the state, explained that these programmes,  which are to be implemented between the 2010 to 2013 fiscal period, include the development of the urban cities consistent with the symbio city concept.

According to Imoke, other projects include utilization of efficient and renewable energy sources,  development of waste to energy plants, development of biological sewage treatment plants and the construction of engineered landfills.

He said  that the state’s carbon sink is also being expanded through the urban tree planting programmes, urban beautification projects and the city capping project.

The Governor disclosed that the state’s Forestry Commission Law, has also been reviewed to strengthen the commission to effectively manage forest resources.

He said, “to ensure that our efforts are not futile, this administration established the Anti Deforestation Task Force in 2009 to enforce a two year moratorium on logging.  We are also engaged in planting five million indigenous species of trees annually for the next four years.  This project is aimed at regenerating the degraded forest cover and thus reduce the negative impact of climate change.”

According to him,  “the state has demonstrated its commitment to the sustenance of the planet through well thought-out environmental policies, standards and programmes and it has been supported by the Federal Ministry of Environment and various NGOs, many of them who call Cross River home.”

The State Commissioner for Environment , Dr. Julius Okputu in a welcome address, said  by observing best environmental practices, Cross River has been internationally recognised by UN REDD programme as a member of Environment Protection Task Force.