The Borno State Government has issued a stern warning to all the citizens and residents of the State not to cut down trees as part of measures to control desertification and address environmental challenges associated with land degradation and negative impacts of climate change in the State
Business Day reports that the State Government had launched a tree-planting initiative which aims at having 10 million saplings planted expected to be nurtured and flourished by the end of December, this year.
Babagana Zulum, Borno State governor, said his Administration had launched several initiatives to reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere and the establishment of the Borno State Branch of the National Agency for the Great Green Wall (NAGGW), which was working to address the problem of desertification and to maintain a healthy and thriving ecosystem.
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He pointed out that another effort was Government’s procurement of electric vehicles and gas cylinders for distribution to deserving communities.
Governor Zulum gave assurances that his Administration is committed to protecting the State’s environment and tackling the degradation of the environment, which had resulted in low rainfall.
“Citizens needed to stop cutting down trees to help put an end to desertification, which was a major environmental concern”, he warned.
He directed Bukar Tijani, the Secretary to the State Government to work with the Borno State House of Assembly to develop measures that would address any flaws in existing environmental laws.
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Emet Kiose, the Commissioner for Environment, appealed to non-governmental organisations, clubs, associations and the public to collect the seedlings from the State Ministry and plant as many trees as possible.
Habiba Usman, the NAGGW’s director of planning and policy coordination, speaking on behalf of the national director-general, Saleh Abubakar, described Zulum as an environmental champion, noting his administration’s significant achievements in addressing environmental issues.
“The agency is elated and happy to note that Borno is the first State in the Country to domesticate the GGW [Great Green Wall] Act by establishing the State agency.
“The NAGGW is glad to be part of the tree-planting campaign as it not only complements the agency’s interventions, but also shows the Borno State government’s commitment to addressing environmental challenges associated with land degradation and climate change”, she noted.
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She said communities, schools, offices and housing estates throughout Borno State were encouraged to take part in the initiative and to plant as many trees as possible.
“Some of the seedlings were given to individuals and communities, who will be responsible for taking proper care of the trees. They will take ownership of the saplings and ensure that they are kept safe and nurtured.
“Our target is to see 10 million drought-resistant saplings planted and flourishing before the end of December. The agency will take responsibility for the saplings that are not individually owned and are not being cared for by community institutions”, she added.
