UN-REDD trains communities, seeks forest protection

The United Nations Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (UN-REDD Programme) has trained about 800 people from forest reserved Communities of Cross River state on the effects of climate change.

The residents were trained at a capacity development workshops on REDD+ organised for five communities of Agoi Ekpo, Agoi Ibami, Etara, Ekuri Eyeyeng and Okokori in the state.

The training was in line with the recent resolution in Addis Ababa during the knowledge-sharing meeting held last year, organised by MPIDO, Wise Administration of Terrestrial Environment and Resources (WATER), implementing capacity building on climate change in two additional communities of Odonget and Ekom Agoi in Obubra and Yakurr Local Government Areas.

Speaking at the event, the National Coordinator, REDD+ Project, Mr. Moses Ama who was represented by Abdullai Yakubu, urged the trainees to work hard towards protecting their forest.

He said; “I will appeal to you to work towards attracting good things to your community.  The carbon credit will come at the right time, what you need is to work hard by protecting your forest. God has given you wisdom to go to school and come back to help your community. You must not have all the money before you assist your community because knowledge is wisdom. After this programme, UN people are coming to this community for evaluation. It is a privilege for your community and when they come they might have an over sight of your community”.

Ama advised them to form more Community Base Organisations (CBO’s), to attract development to the areas adding that there should also be massive support for community leaders and young people looking for ways to develop their vicinity.

Some of the community members and trainees appealed for quick release of the carbon credit fund promised by United Nations to reduce unemployment among the youths and women who depend on the forest for their livelihood.