Rokel Commercial Bank has partnered with Keeping Hope Alive, a local Non-Governmental Organization working in Agro-Forestry Interventions by initiating a project that saw the planting of hundreds of trees at Petifu Village, Koya Chiefdom outside Freetown.
The Chairperson of the Ceremony, Mrs Millicent Cole who also doubles as Customer Care Manager at Rokel Commercial Bank noted that, Rokel Commercial Bank responded to the clarion call by Keeping Hope Alive to contribute to the 21st Century challenge of Climate Change against the deplorable consequences of deforestation across the globe.
Sierra Leone, the Chairperson added, has suffered immensely from the negative consequences of land degradation and deforestation which, she continued, has also got an impact on farming and farmers.
RCB, she added, is happy to contribute as part of its CSR to the efficient management of the Environment for generations yet unborn.
Chief Executive Officer, Keeping Hope Alive, Madam Neneh Tunis, commended Rokel Commercial Bank for partnering with them towards this laudable venture.
She highlighted the interventions of her organization which she noted also includes the planting of other economic tress.
Her organization, she added, has all what it takes to implement projects of such a nature and called on other potential investors to support their cause.
Board Chairman, Rokel Commercial Bank, Mr. Buffy Bailor assured Keeping Hope Alive, the Koya Community, Political stakeholders and other Government representatives about the willingness of the Bank to support all efforts towards Environmental Management.
He lauded the efforts of Keeping Hope Alive for what he described as ‘a very important venture’ and cited the negative impact of land degradation and deforestation on flora and fauna.
Managing Director, Rokel Commercial Bank, Mr. Walton Gilpin told the gathering that his Bank and the entire Board of Directors who were represented at the ceremony are happy to contribute towards the reforestation of the environment.
He continued that they are happy to plant trees which he noted, are critical to the survival of generations yet unborn.
Rokel Commercial Bank, according to the Managing Director, is complementing the efforts of the Ministry of Lands, Environment Protection Agency and Government in the management of the Environment.
He commended the local communities for hosting the project and also called on them to protect the trees that the project will be planted at Petifu Village.
Rokel Commercial Bank, he concluded, does not believe only in talking, but talking and doing.
A representative of the Executive Chairman of the Environment Protection Agency lauded the efforts of Rokel Commercial Bank and keeping Hope Alive for the laudable venture.
He underscored the importance of trees to the flora and fauna and assured the bank and its partners of the support of Government and the EPA towards this direction and lured all financial entities to emulate the good works of RCB and its partners.
Paramount Chief Kompa Bomboli 11 of Koya Chiefdom, Port Loko District applauded RCB and narrated on how he was approached by the bank to give land towards the project.
He thanked the people of Petifu Village for providing the land for the project and implored them to protect the trees for the responsible management of the environment.
The Hon. Member of Parliament, Constituency 078,Port Loko District, Alimamy Brun kanu also made a statement, assuring RCB, partners and Government representatives of their support to the project.
The climax of the ceremony was the planting of hundreds of tress and other economic crops at the site in Petifu Village in Koya Chiefdom.
Keeping Hope Alive is expected to roll out the project to other vulnerable areas in the country.
This is not the first time RCB is contributing towards reforestation activities in the country. It has partnered with the Environmental Protection Agency in the past to plant trees at Barbadorie in the West of Freetown.
Rokel Commercial Bank is on record for supporting various Corporate Social Responsibility programs in the fields of Education, Environmental Management and Women’s Empowerment in the Country.