Congolese campaigners pay visit to ethically renovated pier (From Echo)

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Congolese campaigners pay visit to ethically renovated pier

11:00am Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in Southend

Visitors – Francois Makoloh, Derek Jarvis, Dieud Onnemakaya and Louise Nyayughoye

CAMPAIGNERS from Congo thanked Southend Council for using responsibly sourced timber in pier renovations.

People affected by illegal logging in Congo joined representatives of the World Wildlife Fund and the council at the pier visitor centre yesterday.

The gathering was part of a tour to educate people that the type of wood they buy can have a real effect on people’s lives in Africa.

The three Congo delegates, known as Forest Witnesses, along with their communities, rely on the forests for their livelihoods.

Dieudonne Makaya, Louise Nyavughoye and Francois Makoloh visited the pier, where Forest Stewardship Council-certified sustainable timber from the Congo Basin was used in renovation work in 2010.

Beatrix Richards, head of forest policy and trade at WWF UK, said: “Choosing FSC certified wood products, from garden furniture to toilet paper, is the best way to ensure timber has been harvested legally and with respect for forests, people and wildlife.”

Derek Jarvis, the council’s culture and tourism chief, said the council has a responsibility to help protect the world’s “fragile and under threat eco-systems”.

Comments(7)

Blind Haze says...
11:08am Wed 22 Feb 12

Perhaps they could reward us with some free Um Bongo.