Imoke decries FG’s policy inconsistencies

GOVERNOR Liyel Imoke of Cross River State has decried the inconsistencies in the Federal Government’s policy formulation, saying they have been affecting the development of some programmes in the country.

He expressed the hope that current Federal Government policy on environment would be encouraged and sustained to ensure that “our target on the carbon credit is achieved”.

Imoke, who spoke while declaring open a three-day workshop on “Nigeria REDD+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) University”, said the Federal Government’s current policy favours Cross River and a few other states that are environment-friendly, as it would enable them to source funds from the REDD+ programme.

He said with the effort of the state government in sustaining the environment, “tremendous benefits will accrue to Cross River State in the future from the REDD programme”.

Imoke added: “Policy changes affect programmes like this but we will continue to show commitment and political will to the programme. We have a seven-point agenda in Cross River State and environment is one of them. We will continue to promote our programme on forests.

“We have the forest and the value to be created out of it is up to us. We have to be technically committed and in a few years’ time, our forests will become the crude oil of our tomorrow. It is the foundation we lay and it must be backed by right policy and right legislation”.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-Nigeria, Deputy Country Director Coordinator, Mr. Janthomas Hiemstra, said the UN was proud to be behind REDD and commended the state government on its REDD progamme development.

He expressed the hope that even after Imoke, the people of Cross River would vote in somebody that would continue with the lofty programmes Imoke has started in protecting the environment.

“In 10 to 20 years’ time, the fruit of your labour will be tested in Cross River State. Elect people that will carry same environment agenda and we promise the UN will be there. We are proud to be part of REDD”, he said.

Special Adviser to the Minister of Environment, Mr. Salisu Dahiru, said to be part of REDD is to be part of success as the University of Calabar is the first REDD university and one of the key components of the programme is to expand it to other parts of the country because “we want the entire country to be painted red with REDD”.