Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State says government will collaborate with traditional rulers in the state in a renewed fight against excessive tree felling, bush burning, deforestation and other human acts that negatively impact on the environment.
Receiving members of the State Council of Traditional rulers in Government House, Minna, the governor lamented the increasing level of tree felling and bush burning in the state which, he said, have continued to expose the environment to the clutching effects of climate change.
He noted that the effect of climate change on the environment is stressing the need for an aggressive tree-planting campaign to prevent desert encroachment and protect the environment from degradation.
The governor enjoined the traditional rulers, especially the District and Village Heads to enlighten and discourage their subjects from carrying out environmentally unfriendly acts that could result in low agricultural production.
The Governor disclosed that the Forest Vanguards would be reconstituted and revitalized to effectively monitor and enforce compliance against felling of trees.
“Our environment is getting depleted daily because of the activities of these people. We are already feeling the impact on our farmers and food production generally. The time has come to act, to protect the environment for us and our future generation”.
The Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar III, assured that they will support the tree planting campaign.
“We welcome the development, we are supportive of the state government and we will try our best to educate and discourage our people from illegal felling of trees because of its obvious consequences.”
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