Youths and Environmental Advocacy Centre (YEAC) on Monday, July 26, 2021 joined Rotary of Port Harcourt Eco at the inauguration of “Plant a Mangrove Project”. Speaking at the event, the President of Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Eco, Emem Okon spoke on the importance of mangrove in our environment and the need to strengthen efforts to plant the fast disappearing mangrove due to environmental pollution and other factors that negatively impact the mangrove. Emem Okon who is also the Executive Director of Kabetchache Women Development and Resource Centre said the inauguration of the Plant a Mangrove Project was alter started in June 2021 and this launch is part of activities to mark the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem held worldwide on July 26.

Speaking on a lecture topic titled “Save Nigeria Mangrove through Restoration”, Rotarian Jerry Chidi spoke on the need to plant mangroves. He exhibited photographs of the ecosystem which practically shows how it is polluted with hydrocarbon from the activities of multinational oil companies as well as the activities of artisanal crude oil refiners in the Niger Delta. Other photographs exhibited also shows how the mangroves are disappearing and community people facing more environmental hazards as a result of ecosystem destruction on both fauna and flora. Jerry further spoke after screening a short video that depicted the situation of the environment and how pollution is contributing to mangrove quick disappearance and how steps must be taken through this project by way of supports and collaborations to restore the ecosystem. He said in March and June 2021, 500 and 1,057 mangroves were planted across communities in the Rivers State especially Rumuolumini community where pollution is not rampant. He said awareness on environment and planting of mangroves with other efforts to restore our environment remains the way to save our environment.

The Executive Director of Advocacy Centre Fyneface Dumnamene Fyneface called for collaboration efforts for environmental protection and sustainability in the Niger Delta region where hydrocarbon pollution broth both the oil majors and artisanal crude oil refiners have negatively impacted our environment. The Environmental Justice Activity said as the head of YEAC who is also a partner organization in this project, the organization will efforts to making the project achieve more to protect the Niger Delta environment for sustainability.

The high point of the event event was the unveiling of the project inauguration banner with project name and logos of partner organizations. Present at the event were the Presidents and members of Rotatory Clubs of Port Harcourt Phoenix, Garden City, etc.