Kebbi Govt Warns Against Tree felling, Plants 1 Million Seedlings

By Haruna Aliyu Usman, Birnin Kebbi

The Kebbi State government has warned members of the public to desist from their habits of cutting trees in the forest or in government reserved areas for the purpose of creating fire woods for domestic cooking.

The warning was given by the Permanent Secretary, Kebbi State Ministry for Environment, Hajia Fatima B Umar, in an interview with newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.

Umar said that the law that banned unlawful felling of trees is still in existence adding that government is ready to arrest and prosecute offenders if caught in the act.

She explained that major causes of environmental degradations are indiscriminate cutting of trees and its also facilitate global warming which has now become a global problem, adding that when the need arises for some trees to be cut, there must be immediate replacement.

The Permanent Secretary stated that as part of government’s efforts to conserve and preserve the forest, the state governor, Senator Atiku Abubakar Bagudu, has given approval for the immediate planting of one million seedlings preparatory to raining season which she said the ministry will invite groups and associations in the state to come forward for the seedlings which include guava, mango and other essential crops and/or trees.

On the physical environment inhabited by human beings, Umar laments low man power of environmental health personnel as she appealed to the state government to employ more environmental health officers to ensure clean and habitable environment in the state.