Lands Ministry Hands Over Vehicles To Forestry Commission (PICS)

The Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Benito Owusu-Bio has commissioned and handed over some vehicles to the Achimota Depot of the Forestry Commission in Accra.

According to the Minister, the vehicles will not only help the Forestry Commission to run their day to day activities with ease but also enable the project achieve its development objectives.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony, he said "I want to use this opportunity to caution the Project Management Team to take good care of tye vehicles to enable the project achieve its development objectives"

He added that the vehicles will be strictly used in support of project activities in the mined out areas and monitoring of plantation development activities.

Hon. Owusu-Bio stressed that the Forestry districts to be allocated the pick-ups are Bedwas, Bibiani and one other district yet to be determined.

He added that one of the pick-up will be for the monitoring activities by the Headquarters.

He disclosed that although the intended vehicles to be distributed are 13, the eight (8) to be presented today are the first batch.

"I want to assure our donors that the vehicles will be used specifically for the purpose for which they have been procured and this is expected to enhance project operational activities including field monitoring"

Explaining further, he hinted that the Ghana Forest Investment Programme is being implemented for the past five years and following the successful implementation of the programme.

"The GFIP got an additional financing from the strategic climate fund through the world Bank to augment project implementation of Enhancing Natural Forest and Agroforest Landscape (ENFALP)"

Hon. Benito Owusu-Bio noted that the main objectives of the Additional Financing is to augment Government’s efforts in the reduction of deforestation and forest degradation due to artisanal small-scale mining (ASM) in forest landscapes and community job creation.

On his part, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Forestry Commission, Nyadia Sulemana Nelson thanked the Lands Ministry for their kind gesture.

He promised to ensure that the vehicles are well taken care of and used for its intended purpose.

Below are some photos: