Zambia ranks one of the highest of deforestation in Africa- Scott

Vice President’s wife Charlotte Scott says Zambia has one of the highest rates of deforestation in Africa.

Dr Scott said this is why government has embarked on a mass tree planting jubilee exercise across the country.

She said this today when she officiated at a tree planting exercise held at Bauleni Special Needs School in Lusaka.

She expressed happiness with Standard Chartered Bank’s corporate responsibility as well as joining government in a campaign to plant trees that will help to protect the environment.

Dr Scott also commended Standard Charted Bank for recognizing the country’s environmental challenge and for taking strategic efforts to help address the nation’s biggest challenge.

She urged other private sector companies to emulate the efforts being exhibited by Standard Chartered Bank.

And speaking at the same function, Standard Chartered Bank Chief Executive Officer Andrew Okai said Management at  Bauleni School for special needs should be commended for the role it is playing in assisting the less privileged in society .

Mr Okai said his bank has been assisting the school not only in tree planting but to build a library among many other things.

He also stated that the tree exercise campaign was also on the bank’s underage agenda adding that it is estimated that by the 2027, there will hardly be any timber plantation to meet the growing demand for construction.

He pledged that Standard Chartered Bank will continue working with government in tree planting not only in Lusaka but across the country.