Lukong Pius Nyuylime
5 September 2007
Professor Wangari Maathai, the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Winner and Goodwill Ambassador for the Congo Basin Forest, yesterday declared she would pilot and ensure the creation of a Trust Fund to enhance the sustainable management of the world's second richest forest; the Congo Basin Forest.
She told the Minister of Forestry and Wildlife, Elvis Ngolle Ngolle, during an early morning audience in Yaounde that the British Premier, Gordon Brown, has disbursed 50 million pounds (about CFA 50 billion) to foster the management of the forest. This money, she said, will be used to kick-start a Trust Fund for the Congo Basin Forest. "While thanking the British Prime Minister for the gesture, I hope and call on other donor organisations to contribute generously to the fund", she said.
The Kenyan professor, well known as an environmental and political activist, said, she has been discussing ways and means of helping governments of the Conference of Central African Forest Ministers (COMIFAC) progress in the implementation of the Convergence Plan. "We need a structure to ensure good governance, openness and transparency in forest management"she said.
Prof. Wangari, who was accompanied in the meeting by the British High Commissioner to Cameroon and officials of COMIFAC, recalled the worry of the British Premier while giving out the financial assistance: that of the nefarious effects of climate change. "I hope the fund will shape the fate of the forest", she said, expressing the wish to see the African Union as part of the process.
The Minister of Forestry and Wildlife, Elvis Ngolle Ngolle, on his part, assured his guest of Cameroon's support and readiness to play a frontline role in starting off the process. "Cameroon has two main concerns today: controlling illegal forest expolition and reforesting exploited areas as well as planting trees in urban and sub urban areas", Minister Ngolle Ngolle said. "We intend to plant 15,000 trees every year in partnership with the civil society, NGOs and councils", he added.
Prof. Wangari is in Cameroon to prepare for the upcoming meeting of the Permanent Committee of the African Union Economic and Social Council.
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