South Korea backs Nigeria’s tree planting project with $130,000

To protect environment and mitigate the effect of climate change, Korean government has donated $130,000 to support Nigeria’s tree-planting campaign.

The South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Noh Kyu-duk who disclosed this in Abuja during the 2017 International Day of Forests Celebration, said the amount was a token of cordial and excellent friendly bilateral relationship they established with Nigeria in 1980.

He observed that both countries have always enjoyed diplomatic ties and hope that Nigeria stands to benefit more in future. Kyu-duk also stated that his home country will not only encourage Nigerian people to plant trees but go ahead to design and implement ten-year plans to develop barren mountains suitable for afforestation.

“Now, the area forest covers in Korea has increased more than 16 times since the introduction of Tree-planting day in 1946. These days, we are sharing our knowledge and experience with neighbouring countries like China and Japan.”

The ambassador further explained, Nigeria as the giant of Africa, it should not only be wise to overly focused on economic development but also balance it with environmental sustainability. “It is no wonder Korean government’s Official Development Assistance, ODA, to Nigeria has reached more than $57 million since 1991. My government has prepared shovels for Nigerians to use,” he added.

Earlier, Acting Minister of Environment, Ibrahim Usman Jibril explained, International Day of Forest is to mobilize stakeholders for massive actions against deforestation, forest degradation and desertification.

Jibril maintained, government was committed to support actions aimed at giving due consideration to climate change mitigation and adaptation, such as tree planning and management of forest reserves.

“Consumption of fuel wood is far exceeding sustainable production and supply from natural and an artificial forest, which shows that large, scale deficit and degradation of forests nation-wide to meet fuel wood supply.”

To him, in order to reduce pressure on the forest due to fuel wood extraction, the ministry would continue to partner with relevant agencies to work out modalities for the provision of alternative sources of energy and improved wood stoves for the rural areas.