TECHNICAL REPORT

ON

STUDENTS INDUSTRIAL WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME

(SIWES)

AT

CROSS RIVER FORESTRY COMMISSION, CALABAR-CHAPTER

WRITTEN BY

OFRE, FERDINARD ADAMU

MATRIC NO: 18/098144068TR
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY
FACULTY OF OCEANOGRAPHY

SUBIMTTED TO

MR. JOB, BASSEY ETIM

(SIWES SUPERVISOR)
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY
FACULTY OF OCEANOGRAPHY

IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE COURSE REQUIREMENTS

STUDENTS INDUSTRIAL WORK EXPERIENCE SCHEME
(BOC 302)

DECEMBER, 2023.
 CERTIFICATION

This is to certify that OFRE, FERDINARD ADAMU with the matric number

18/098144068TR carried out this report work under the supervision of Ekanem

Edem, the Coordinator Cross River State Forestry Commission, Calabar-Chapter,

Calabar.

…………………………… …………………………………......
MR. JOB, BASSEY ETIM OFRE, FERDINARD ADAMU
Coordinator 18/098144068TR

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 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I express my gratitude and appreciation to God Almighty for the strength and life
given to me to undergo this training and having it a success. I can’t do without
acknowledging the effort of my parents Dr. & Mrs. Douglas Ofre for their moral
support keying in for the progress of this work.

I am immeasurably thankful to my coordinator Mrs. Ekanem Edem for the

supervision while carrying out my industrial training at the commission. My gratitude
goes to the management and staff of Cross River Forestry Commission for their
enormous cooperation that gave me a conducive environment to work the acquisition
of these skills.

In general, I wish to thank all my colleges in the department and all those who have
contributed in one way or the other towards my success.

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 ABSTRACT

The Industrial training report presents the experience gained during my 6-month
Industrial Training undertaken at the Cross River Forestry Commission, Calabar-
Chapter, Calabar Road. My training was basically on nursery operations, plant
identification and visitation to drill ranch and timber markets, Important of trees to the
environment.

This report enumerates the vital skills and experience I gained during the training
period and justifying the relevance of the scheme in equipping students with the
needed competence to thrive and succeed in the real world.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title page
Certification 1
Acknowledgment 2
Abstract 3

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

1.2 Historical background of the commission 6
1.3 Objectives of the commission 6
1.4 Justification 7
1.5 Commission Mission 7
1.6 Commission Mandate 7
1.7 Challenges 7
1.8 Commission Organogram 8
1.9 Departments and functions of forestry commission 9

CHAPTER TWO
2.1 Brief Report of Activities 11
2.2 Materials Used for Activity 11

CHAPTER THREE
3.1 Nursery Operations 12
3.2 Visitation to drill ranch 15
3.3 Botanical Rambling 16
3.4 Visitation to Timber Market (Akim) 17

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CHAPTER FOUR

4.1 Conclusion 18

4.2 Recommendation 18

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 CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE COMMISSION

The vision of the Cross River State Forestry Commission (CRSFC) is to be home to
one of the world's greenest and biologically most diverse and richest forest by all
global standards.

Cross River State Forestry Commission was established on the 30th November, 1998
following the message of the bill of Cross River State House of Assembly (CRSHA).
The commission was before now a department under the ministry of Agriculture and
natural resources. The mandate of Cross River State Forestry Commission (CRSFC) is
to sustainably develop, conserve and manage the forest reserves of the state for the
benefit of all stakeholders through sound policies and programs.

OBJECTIVES OF THE COMMISSION

The major aims and objectives of the SIWES programme include.

Provide an avenue for students in institutions of higher learning to acquire industrial

skills and experience in their course of study.

It prepares student for the work situation they are likely to come across after
graduation.

Make the transition from school to the field of work easier, and enhance students
contacts for later job placement.

It exposes student to the methods and techniques involved in handling equipment and
machinery not made available in the institution.

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JUSTIFICATION

The CRSFC is a place for sustainable development, conserve and manage the forest
reserve for the benefit of all stakeholders through sound policies and programs. The
above potentials also gave me the encouragement to choose commission to undergo
my industrial training programme.

COMMISSION MISSION

To be commission efficient in the sustainable development and conservation of Cross

River State Forest and Wild Life resources meeting local, national and global
standards for Forest and Wildlife Management.

COMMISSION MANDATE

Regulate the activities of Forestry Commission Parastatals, Local Government,

Department, Organizations and Statutory bodies as the relate to Forest and Forest
Resources and Wildlife Conservation issues in the State.

CHALLENGES

The State Government ban on logging which has resulted in illegal exploitation of
Forest resources in the Forest across the State; for instance, logging and illegal
harvesting of non-timber forest products (NTFES).

Nonpayment of royalty of forest bearing community resulting in encroachment and

illegal farming in forest resources across the State.

COMISSION ORGANOGRAM
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 DEPARTMENTS AND FUNCTIONS OF FORESTRY COMMISSION

Administration/human resource, training and consultancy

i. They control discipline of staffs, promotion in the commission

ii. Posting issues

iii. They keep records of incoming and outgoing mails.

Planning research statistics/quality control

i. They collect and implement data for management

ii. They prepare budget of forestry commission

III. Analyzing of information from the field

Finance and Account

This department work with planning research and statistics for financial transaction

Community Private Forestry (CPF)

I. They practice single tree permit, community involvement and given owners
consent that one is a timber dealer

ii. They give information to timber dealers

iii. Community involvement in policy making.

Cartographic Unit

i. Enhance monitoring, reporting and verification of forest-based activities

ii. They rake stock or inventory of the forest

iii. Preparing maps and area photograph or the reserve.

Information and Communication Technology

They gather and process information for forestry commission

Conservation, protection and compliance

1. They formulate laws and policies guiding forest product like timber and farming

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II. They create check point to control forest product

They ensure enforcement of existing regulations governing the management of forest

Business Development Department (BDD)

i. They promote the development of forest business in cross river state

ii They register timber dealers and issue permit to timber dealers

iii. Build capacity of staff on forest business development (BDD).

Regeneration/Agro Forestry, Non-Timber Product and Medicinal Plant

i. Teach communities best practices to reduce climate change

ii. Carryout regeneration, raise nursery and plant plantations

iii. They practice best agro-forestry practices

iv. They take care of non-timber forest product

v. They promote private development and community participation in nursery

development.

Wildlife Ecotourism

i. Control poaching and illegal logging

ii. Educate communities on how to domesticate animals to pressure on the reserves

iii. Conservation of wildlife/animals

iv. Boundary tracing in protected areas

v. Create awareness on the rich bio diversity in Cross River State.

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 CHAPTER TWO

BRIEF REPORT OF ACTIVITIES

An orientation was given by the coordinator about forestry commission, we were

introduced to staffs of the commission as well as the departments and their functions
with emphasis on the departments of Regeneration/Agro-Forestry, Non-timber
products and Medicinal plants (RANM) and Wild life and Eco Tourism.

Specifically, on the 8th week we were introduced to nursery operations, types of

nursery, methods of breaking dormancy, Factors to consider while siting a nursery,
Post Nursey Operations like weeding, perforation, beating up and second observation.
On these, various activities were conducted during the period of training; such
activities include:

Botanical rambling to identify plant species, their specific names, local names and
their uses.

Visitation to timber market to study types of woods, machines used, methods of

disposal of waste produced by wood. Visitation to drill ranch where monkeys and
drills are rehabilitated for research work.

MATERIALS USED FOR THESE ACTIVITIES

The most common materials used for the exercise mostly during the nursery
operations were hoe, cutlass, spade, wheel barrow, shovel, compass.

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 CHAPTER THREE

WHAT IS A NURSERY

A nursery is an area where seedlings of desired species are raised, tendered before
they are transferred to the field.

TYPES OF NURSERY

1. Temporal/ flying nursery

2. Permanent centralized nursery.

TEMPORAL/FLYING NURSERY

As the name implies, it is usually established on a yearly purpose and to Feed any new
plantation project. It involves low capital commitment, it is not labour intensive and is
sited close to the plantation.

PERMANENT/ CENTRALIZED NURSERY

This nursery is raised for scientific research to help boost revenue generation. It is
capital intensive, labour intensive and uses irrigational system.

Materials Needed for Nursery Establishment

a. Hoe

b. Spade

с. Тape

d. Poly bags

e Cutlass/ knife

Survey Equipment Example

1. Compass/GPS

2. Tape
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3. Ranging pole.

Basic Factors Affecting Nursery Location

1. Nearness to plantation site: nursery should be sited close to plantation site to

reduce damage stress to the young seedlings and reduce transportation cost.

2. Funds: money is essential component for nursery operation

3. Species to be planted and why?

4. Suitable site: a fairly undulating area that helps check environmental hazard is
considered for nursery development and area that is not water logged.

5. Proximity to source of water is very essential for plant growth

6. cut down all trees and shrubs on site

7. They must have a walk way of in between the seeds beds

8. Each seed bed should be 1 width by 10m length (1x10m).

How to raise seedlings in a nursery?

1. Broadcast system: seeds are spread or scattered all over the beds to determine
the rate of germination.
2. The polythene tubes or direct sowing to poly bags. These methods involve
sowing of the seed directly into polybags but the method is expensive

Pre-Operations Involved in Tree Nursery

 Collection of seeds: pick seeds free from pest and diseases, dry seeds to avoid
being rotten.
 Breaking of Dormancy
 Burning of the seed
 Soaking of the seed in water
 Filling of polypots
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  Stacking of polypots into rolls.

Nursery Operations
 Planting of seedlings in polypots

Post Operation involve in Three Nursery

 Observation of the nursery to determine the rate of germination

 Perforation of polypots to removes excess water

 Weeding (The removal of unwanted plants)

 Beating up (The system of replacement of dead plants)

Perforation and Importance

 Perforation is a process of boring or creating holes in the poly bags
 1. To discourage excess water
 2. Allow air into the soil
 3. To avoid rotting of the plants roots.

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 VISITATION TO DRILL RANCH

Drill ranch is a non-governmental organization to promote the survival of very

endangered African primate i.e. the drill monkey. Drills are short-tailed rain forest
monkeys found in cross River State. Mandrills leucophaeus are semi-terrestrial
searching the ground for food lie fallen fruits, roots, leaves, insects and
invertebrates. They communicate with facial expressions, vocalization and
behaviors. They are semi-nomadic and are highly social and live in group of 15-30.
Drill ranch accept monkeys of long-term care to show case unique and beautiful
bio diversity of Nigerians varnishing. wildlife capture breeding is best for drills due
to the benefits for habitat protection, conservation, education and awareness about
the importance of endangered wildlife preservation. Drill ranch is funded by
individuals, companies and organization within Nigeria and abroad.

They acquire grants from zoos and other non-governmental organization. Drills are
gregarious animals.

There is always a leader in each group who ensures safety of the younger ones and
maintains peace whenever there is problem and they have a life span of 40-50
years. The major aim of the drill ranch is to serve as recreational center for tourists,
educational and research center to people. The gestation period in drill last for 6
months and a liter size of one

 THE GUENONS/SCLATERS
 Other species of monkeys found in drill range at the guenon and scientifically
called cercopithecus diana and Sclaters Scientifically called cercopithecus
Sclateri. They feed on fruits, and there are small in nature.

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BOTANICAL RAMBLING

This is an exercise carried out to identify trees, shrubs and herbs through the
arrangement of leaves, colour of bark exudates, Fruit and Seeds.

Common Name Scientific Name Functions

Mimosop Ballonella taxisperma Timber and Vegetable oil

Ball Tree Callopyllum Inophyllum It is used for construction,

ornament and medicinal
purposes.
Royal Palm Roystone regia It is good for ornaments,
medicinal purposes and also
good for construction.
Pine Pinus carribea Pines are used for timber
purposes pulp making and
landscaping.

Masquerade tree (False Polyanthia longifolia Masquerade trees are good

Ashoka) ornamental plants.
Ndian almond wood Terminalia catappa Timber and folder

Teak Tectona grandis Timber and construction

Oil bean Tree Penthracletha macrophylla Edible and Fuel wood

Bush mango Irvengia gabonensis Edible

Editan Lacentera africana Edible

Importance of trees to the environment

1. Shade from sunlight
2. Beautification
3. Water shade management
4. Purification of the atmosphere
5. Erosion control
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Visitation to timber market (Akim)

We embarked on an excursion to Timber Market (Akim) to acquire more knowledge.

We were introduced to different machines, types of woods and their uses as well as
waste disposal.

Machines and Their Uses

1. Band Saw or Circular Machine: Used in Sawing woods

2. Planning Machine: Used for planning the woods
3. Table Saw Machine: Used to determine the woods into smaller sizes
4. Cutting Machine: Used in cutting of woods
5. Willing Machine: used to smooth woods

Hardwood is used to make frames, doors and benches

White afara is used for making coffins.

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 CHAPTER FOUR

CONCLUSION

The SIWES programme has given me in-dept. exposure to practical aspect of my

profession, I will love to conclude that the SIWES programme was a huge success and
a great time of acquisition and skills. Through this training I was able to appreciate my
chosen course of study, because I had the opportunity to blend the theoretical
knowledge acquired from school with the practical appreciation of knowledge gained
here to perform very important tasks that contributed to my productivity in the
commission.

RECOMMENDATIONS

After observing, solving some of the problems as to which this report entails, the
following recommendations are made.

1. Allowances should be paid to students during their programme to enable them

handle some financial problems

2. The commission should make effort to make equipment available to facilitators

to enable them carryout their duties effectively to facilitate their work.

3. Students should take the training program seriously as this form’s their
industrial experience and boost their employability upon successful graduation.

4. The department should provide a concrete schedule for the student with regards
to what is obtainable in a station.

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