Kebbi communities urged to plant trees against flood

Malam Suleiman Augie, a leader of the Adamu Aliero Housing Community Association, one of the communities worst hit by flooding made the call while fielding questions on community effort against flooding and on environmental nuisance caused by burnt and unoccupied houses in Birnin Kebbi.
He called on the community to take advantage of the recent sensitisation and tree planting campaign embarked upon by the state Ministry of Environment.
Augie also called on those whose houses were razed by fire and are yet to repair them despite government’s assistance, to take necessary measures.
He said, “In 2010 there was a fire incident that consumed eight houses in the estate. The fire was caused by electrical surge from air conditioner and water heater of which I am also a victim. This fire incident attracted government assistance with which most of us managed to repair our houses including a mosque in front of my house.”
He said the burnt houses that were left unrepaired are becoming an environmental nuisance and a security threat to the community adding that thieves used them as cover to get into other people’s fences to steal.
“The community is calling on those who got the assistance but have not repaired their houses to please come forward and repair their houses that have been taken over by hoodlums.
“There was a time when a hoodlum scaled the fence of the burnt house around 3am and stole a laptop and other valuables in another house,” he said.
He however, commended the state government for the assistance especially during the fire incident and urged resident to be security and safety conscious at all times.
State Commissioner of Environment Isyaku Dauda when contacted said tree planting was important in flood-prone  areas because it prevents torrential rains from directly hitting the ground.
According to him, heavy down pour results to gully erosion which results into flood.
He said his ministry has enough assorted trees for distribution and urged the community to be fully involved in tree planting.
“We have enough assorted tree seedlings, so the community can come forward and pick as much as it needs. We are also continuing with sensitisation of communities on the importance of tree planting, not only against flood but also against desert encroachment,” the commissioner said.