By Our Correspondent

The Delta State Commissioner for Environment, Barr. John Obukohwo Nani has charged researchers and academies to proffer practicable and sustainable solution to the enormous challenges facing Forests and Forest Product across the Nation.

The Hon. Commissioner gave the charge while declaring open the 5th Biennal Conference of the Forest and Forest Products Society hosted by the Delta State Chapter of the Organization at Delsu, Anwai Campus with the theme: Forest Management and the Challenges of Environmental Sustainability.

Speaking Further, Hon. John Nani stated that the state government is aware of the place of forestry not as a source of revenue but as well as guaranteeing environmental quality, stability and sustainability and that the theme of the conference is very timely and apt in furtherance of the state efforts of protecting the environment and ensuring environmental prosperity for Deltans.

He explained that as a measure to check deforestation and safeguard our forest reserve, the state has since set up a Taskforce on Forestry to ensure strict compliance with relevant forestry laws in the state. This efforts according to the Commissioner has drastically reduced illegal felling of trees, increase revenue generation and created employment in line with the Job Creation Strategies of the Gov. Okowa led administration.

The Hon. Commissioner recalled with nostalgia the vintage roles of forestry in providing food, income for the nation as major exporter of Forest products in the world. He explained that with dwindling revenue from crude oil, the time to make that vital switch from Oil to Agriculture is now. To this end, the H. E Okowa administration has redirect it’s focus to improvement in Agricultural produce and engaging the youth meaningfully through the Youth Agricultural Empowerment Programmes (YAGEP).

Hon. Nani noted that Nigeria has the highest rate of deforestation of primary Forests in the world and expressed the state government commitment in not only reversing this trend through forest regeneration but the strong will to continue to safeguard the state Forests which he said is the root of human development and existence.

The Hon. commissioner who said he is a Forester by fait, expressed hope that the conference will provide a viable platform for all stakeholders in Nigeria’s Forestry sector to brainstorm and proffer sustainable solutions for advancing Forests and Forest products while providing employment opportunities to the ever growing army of unemployed youths in the state through forestry related activities, in line with the SMART Agenda of His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.