GECCU encourages ‘greener’ SVG

A yellow Poui tree planted on the grounds of the National Public Library highlights the commitment of the General Employees Corporative Credit Union (GECCU) to encouraging persons to be more environmentally friendly.{{more}}

In celebration of World Earth Day on Tuesday, GECCU partnered with the Forestry Division to plant a tree in promotion of a “greener” country.

The initiative is also a part of GECCU’s thrust to plant 100 trees across St Vincent, as a part of the cooperative’s 50th anniversary celebrations.

In brief remarks, senior marketing officer at GECCU Danny-Lee Francis explained the vision behind World Earth Day and stressed the importance of taking care of the environment.

“We know we all have a role as human beings to play as environmental stewards for our planet. You know our planet is faced with lots of crises like overpopulation and drought in different regions and global warming. I just want everyone to know that the onus is on us as human beings to preserve our environment and to make sure that it’s here for not just today but for future generations,” Francis said.

The marketing officer also thanked the Ministry of Agriculture for donating the Poui tree and the director of the National Public Library for allowing GECCU to plant their first tree on the library compound.

Fitzgerald Providence, the acting director of Forestry, shared Francis’ sentiments and expressed joy at being able to collaborate with the credit union in an effort to be environmental stewards.

After indicating that World Earth Day’s theme for 2014 is “Green Cities”, Providence noted that persons must recognize the importance of trees to the environment, especially in urban areas.

“It goes beyond trees. It goes on to green buildings, green energy and how we preserve our environment,” he said. “It’s important that we have trees in our urban environment because we are losing a lot of our green spaces. We have been cutting down our trees to put in buildings and concrete structures, which just make the place hot and not very environmentally friendly. So, it is a good initiative for us to start making Kingstown [greener].”

President of GECCU Clarence Harry, and director of the National Public Library Michelle King-Campbell also delivered brief remarks at the tree planting ceremony.

Campbell, who shared her delight at having the tree planted on the compound, expressed hope that persons would acknowledge the importance of having trees, as they not only hold the soil together, but attract much needed rain to the country.(BK)