Caribbean Cement Company Limited (CCCL) is partnering with the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) to preserve and protect the country’s natural resources through the Adopt-a-Mangrove Programme.
A Memorandum of Agreement formalising the partnership was signed at the Caribbean Cement Company Limited Sports Club, Rockfort, Kingston, yesterday (Tuesday, March 18).
Under the initiative, CCCL is committing to collaborate with NEPA to conserve and restore mangroves at Gallows Point, which is located within the Palisadoes-Port Royal Protected Area.
Managing Director, of Caribbean Cement Company Limited, Jorge Martinez, said the signing represents a significant milestone for Caribbean Cement, as the company continues to build on its commitment to environmental sustainability through its flagship programme – Future in Action (FIA).
“Through our participation in the Adopt-a-Mangrove Programme, we are proud to announce our initial funding commitment of $4.5 million and we look forward to working closely with NEPA to continue supporting this programme,” he said.
“Additionally, we are excited to pioneer an innovative technology in the form of floating concrete at Mangrove Islet 1 in the Palisadoes-Port Royal Protected Area. Developed by Cemex’s research and development division in Switzerland, this floating concrete will serve as seed carriers, helping to protect the mangroves as they mature,” he said.
He added that the unique design allows the mangrove roots to break through the concrete, ensuring their establishment. “This solution also tackles the issue of plastic intrusion, which has been one of the significant threats to the longevity of mangrove ecosystems.
Chief Executive Officer, NEPA, Leonard Francis lauded CCCL, noted that the signing signifies another positive step in the Adopt-A-Mangrove Programme.
“The Caribbean Cement Company Limited has made a consistent contribution to building strong foundations and a vested interest in promoting the tenets of sustainable practices. With your track record of implementing successful projects, the agency is not only pleased but excited to partner with you and associate with this legacy of nation-building,” he said.
He said the agency is committed to investing in initiatives that foster partnerships that will ensure sustained efforts to protect, restore and manage vital ecosystems such as the country’s mangroves.
He explained that Palisadoes - Port Royal Protected Area was declared on September 18, 1998 and spans an area of approximately 7,523 hectares. The combination of its natural historical, cultural, economic resources has produced an area with unique characteristics.
He added that the wetlands of the Palisadoes - Port Royal Protected Area were designated at Jamaica’s second Ramsar site under the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance.
The Adopt-A-Mangrove Programme is an initiative of the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) and serves as an extension of ongoing wetland restoration projects and volunteer-driven efforts aimed at the protection, conservation, and restoration of Jamaica’s mangrove.
