Ecobank Zambia has committed to plant 2,500 fruit trees in 50 schools across the country under a project dubbed 50-5-50 Initiative.
The project was launched at Lotus Basic School in Lusaka on Tuesday, 5th June 2018 in commemoration of the World Environment Day.
The Bank will plant 50 fruit trees of five species in each of the 50 schools comprising of Lemon, Orange, Avocado, Guava and Mango.
Ecobank Zambia Managing Director Kola Adeleke said that the Bank will continue supporting Government’s efforts in combating climate change and protecting natural resources for future generations.
Mr. Adeleke said Ecobank was happy to contribute its share towards the ‘Plant a Million Initiative” which was recently launched by President Edgar Lungu on 30th April 2018.
Speaking at the same event, Ecobank Transnational Incorporation (ETI) Outgoing Non-Executive Director Ms. Dolika Banda said that it was everyone’s responsibility to take care of the natural resources.
Ms. Banda said “Trees absorb harmful gases from the environment and they give us oxygen and food. It is for this reason that we should also take care of them”.
And Lands and Natural Resources Minister Jean Kapata who was represented by the Permanent Secretary Mr. Trevor Kaunda said Government was happy to partner with Ecobank on this project and would offer the required technical assistance to schools in the establishment of tree nurseries, planting and management of the planted fruit trees.
Ms. Kapata said “the successful implementation of the Ecobank 50-5-50 Tree Planting Initiative is expected to instill a positive attitude of planting trees in our schools, provide food supplements from trees grown, contribute to climate change mitigation and generate additional income in schools.”
The World Environment Day which is commemorated every year on 5th June was designated by the United Nations to stimulate worldwide awareness of the Environment. The theme for this year was “Beat Plastic Pollution for a Clean and Green Zambia.”
Ecobank has partnered with the United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations Development Programme and the Local Governments to help combat climate change and protect natural resources for future generations by planting trees in 33 countries across the continent where the Bank is present.
In attendance at the launch were United Nations agencies, Lotus Basic school Management and other stakeholders.
Thats the way to go Zambia, imagine every school in our country having five fruit trees .
Bad idea, did they think about what comes with the fruit trees?
Yewe Chi MD Kolala Mandeleke, is planting 50 fruit tree of 5 various types is no big deal. Your bank is making huge profits and what to portray that is a coog corporate responsibility. There are schools dotted around the country which needs computers and other teaching aides including sponsorship. That is misplaced priority. Planting mangoes nama oranges, can such initiatives improve the academic advancement of our children? Ask stakeholders before taking anything to the community?