NGO Seeks Law To Check Calabar Coastal Line Deforestation
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – A Calabar based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) in Cross River State, Uyo Iban Amplifier Initiative (UIAI) is demanding a legislative act to halt the continuous deforestation of the Calabar coastal line mangrove swamp.
The NGO, which focuses on women rights and environmental development initiative, canvassed the position during the annual celebration of the International Water Day in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.
The NGO’s State Coordinator, Okoho Ene, who drew attention to the negative effects of climate change, said the deforestation is adversely impacting on the eco-system with the aquatic life facing serious threat of extinction.
She noted with dismay the alarming rate at which the Mangrove swamp is being destroyed for the purpose of processing woods from the mangrove trees without any consideration to the dangers such activities posed to the eco-system.
Also speaking at the occasion, Leader of the Calabar Beach Fish Sellers, Madam Patience Umoh said as much as they are ready stop unhealthy environmental activities, the State Government should come to their aid by granting them soft loans to enable their members turn attention to other productive agricultural ventures.
Madam Umoh said apart from exploring other means of survival, some of them have children in schools to carter for, as such they need government’s intervention in terms of agricultural loans and a development framework for the Calabar Coastal line which she described as a viable commercial centre in the state.
Some of the placards displayed at the occasion conveyed various inscriptions such as; “Protecting the planet is securing water for all”; “Invest in women to ensure sustainable water solution” and “Climate justice is water justice” among others.
