National Reforestation Program

National Reforestation Program:
MINFOF launches Tree-Planting Campaign in B’da
 - Inaugurates new Regional Delegation building
By Njodzefe Nestor in Bamenda

Minister addressing NW population at launch

The minister of Forestry and wild life, Ngole Philip Ngwese, has launched the 2015 reforestation campaign in Bamenda. The launching ceremony at Ayaba Hotel, May 7, 2015 was followed by a symbolic trees-planting exercise at GBHS Ntamulung by Minister Ngole Philip assisted amongst others by the Governor of the North West Region, Adolf Lele L’Afrique and the SDO of Mezam Nguele Nguele Felix likewise the Government Delegate to the Bamenda City Council Vincent Nji Ndumu.
    Launched under the theme: “Creation and Development, A Response to Population Needs for Services, Wood and Management of Landscapes,” the activity is expected to trickle to other regions with the overall aim of fighting deforestation and consequently climate change.
    The launch also featured a thematic expose from the Regional Delegate of Forestry and Wildlife for the North West Region, Madam Mbah Grace who amongst other things made a few clarifications regarding eucalyptus trees especially the debate whether it should be planted given that it needs more water for its survival especially as water is increasingly becoming scarce.

    She revealed that contrary to popular belief, eucalyptus is not bad. “What matters is the specie used which varies with the ecological zone in question”. She however warned that eucalyptus trees should not be planted in watersheds and water catchment areas.
    The launching ceremony also saw the handing over of funds to some councils and the signing of agreements with stakeholders.
    In his launching speech the minister underscored the importance of the event but warned the beneficiaries that the ministry will not spare those who divert the funds to personal pockets.
   
New MINFOF building inaugurated
    Minister Ngole Philip seized the occasion of his visit to Bamenda to also inaugurate the multipurpose building to harbor the Regional delegation of forestry and wild life. The 3-storey building has 24 offices, 2 conference halls, 2 guest rooms and 18 toilets. 
    Inaugurating the building valued at over FCFA 359 million, the Minister said the architectural marvel is President Biya’s unbending resolve to create enabling working conditions for state personnel and give Cameroon’s  major cities a befitting outlook.
    The building according to the minister is funded by the Franco-Cameroon cooperation under the debt relief and development contract initiative known by its French acronym C2D.
    Speaking at the ceremony, the Government Delegate to the Bamenda City Council,Vincent Nji Ndumu thanked the Minister for coming in person to inaugurate the building and called on the Regional Delegate and her staff to put the building into effective use.
    Ndumu also thanked the government for the creation of the Kimbi Fongum National Park which he said will go a long way to increase tourist potentials of the region.
    He however implored the minister to furnish the building with state-of-the-art office equipment, concrete pavements for outer spaces and a suitable fence for maximum security.
    Observing that only Menchum of the seven divisions of the NW has a MINFOF delegation building, Vincent Nji Ndumu pleaded for construction of standard structures to host services of that very important ministry at the divisional level.
    For her part, the Regional Delegate of MINFOF, Mbah Grace also thanked the minister for constructing the beautiful office. Like Oliver Twist, Mbah Grace asked for more especially the furnishing of offices with equipment.
    She decried the lack of equipment such as service cars, motocycles,
ammunition and uniforms saying these prevent the regional and divisional delegations from carrying out the task of fighting against poaching and wanton destruction of flora and fauna.