The acting rector, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State, Dr Uche Onyegbu has appealed to the Anambra State government for help to control gully control ravaging the institution.
He also called for the collaboration of the government with the institution in its agricultural establishment project at the Ufuma campus.
Onyegbu made the appeal during flag-off ceremony of a tree-planting campaign in the polytechnic aimed at protecting and conserving the environmental ecosystem.
He stated that the tree-planting programme was part of the deliberate efforts of the polytechnic management toward environmental protection, conservation and aesthetics of the institution.
He stated that the institution is faced with serious gully erosion adding that several structures were already being threatened by the natural disaster.
Flagging-off the tree planting exercise tagged, “Operation Go Green” at the institution’s premises, Anambra State commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor noted that the tree-planting programme would help regulate the climate and ensure stability of the ecosystem.
Represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Mrs Ifeyinwa Uzoka, the commissioner said that protecting the environment was among the state government’s vision to transform the state into a livable, prosperous mega city.
He expressed regrets that the state is generally bedevilled by deforestation and stressed the need for citizens to engage in mass tree planting which he said involved mobilisation of students to plant at least one tree.
He urged the students of the polytechnic and residents of communities around the institution, and, the state at large to plant trees to ensure healthy living as well as check erosion and guard against global warming.
“If you fell one tree, you plant at least five trees,” he added.
Former board member, National Board for Technology Incubation and member of Academic Staff Union of the Research Institute, Hon Cletus Amaraegbu urged the institution’s management to take full ownership of the Tenera Specie high-yielding oil palm and coconut seedlings.
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