By Angela Atabo
The Steron Community Development Foundation (SCDF) says it has planted 100 trees in Wasa and Takushara communities in the Federal Capital Territory.
The Managing Director of Steron Group, Mr Abubakar Omar, said on Tuesday in Abuja, that the trees were planted in partnership with the Climate Action Team Initiative and the Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI),
Omar said that the tree planting was carried out under the “Befriend a Tree Initiative’”.
He said that the initiative was aimed at promoting environmental sustainability and supporting the socio-economic wellbeing of residents in the two host communities.
The managing director said that of the 100 seedlings planted, 80 were economic trees, comprising mango and orange varieties.
He added that the remaining 20 were mast trees planted at strategic locations to help improve the environment and support soil stability.
Omar said that the initiative reflected his personal commitment to environmental sustainability, particularly as the company’s operations involved the extraction of natural resources.
“I hail a new standard for environmental responsibility in Nigeria’s extractive sector.
“This is personal for me. Environmental sustainability is a responsibility I have vowed to carry not as policy, but as principle,” he said.
Omar said that environmental responsibility should go beyond policies and become a principle guiding the relationship between extractive companies and their host communities.
Participants and representatives of partner organisations commended Steron Group for what they described as a practical demonstration of corporate responsibility in Nigeria’s extractive sector.
Mr Daniel Black, Founder of the Growth for Sustainable Agriculture Initiative commended Steron Group and SCDF for the initiative.
Black, who is the immediate past President of the YALI Network, said that the exercise was significant because it demonstrated a visible commitment by an extractive company to environmental sustainability and community development.
Similarly, The Founder, Ebaidebhek Initiative (TEI), Mrs Ebaide Omiunu, described Steron Group as an example of responsible corporate engagement with host communities.
Speaking on behalf of NEITI, its Gender and Environment Officer, Stephanie Etareri, said that the organisation would continue to support initiatives promoting transparency, environmental responsibility and accountability in the extractive sector.
Etareri said that NEITI would also continue to encourage mining companies to maintain transparent and responsible relationships with their host communities.
The organisers said the initiative was part of the company’s broader community development programme, which sought to promote sustainable environmental practices in areas hosting its operations.
Steron Group’s Community Development Manager, Halima Imam, said that the foundation was expected to continue its environmental intervention in the communities in the coming week.
Imam said that the foundation scheduled to train women in Wasa and Takushara on the production of briquettes for clean cooking.
She said that this would contribute to cleaner cooking practices and promote a healthier environment in the communities.
“The Befriend a Tree Initiative was designed not merely as a one-day tree-planting exercise, but as a long-term commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible engagement with host communities.”
The organisers expressed the hope that the trees would be nurtured to maturity and provide lasting environmental and economic benefits to residents of Wasa and Takushara. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Florence Onuegbu