Deforestation: Kebbi Govt Reads Riot Act To Defaulters

…Arrests 16, confiscates 50,000 Bags of charcoal, 7,400 Pieces of Timber

By Kabir Dan-Katsina, Birnin Kebbi

Kebbi State Government has read riot act on deforestation while about 16 people have so far been arrested for illegal tree felling. Also, seizures were made of 50,000 bags of charcoal and 7,400 pieces of timber in Ka’oje Forest, Bagudo Local Government area of the state.

Briefing newsmen on Wednesday in his office in Birnin Kebbi, the Commissioner for Environment, Musa Muhammad Tungulawa, cautioned that the present government would continue to strictly enforce the laws against deforestation.

He said “tree felling is harmful and hazardous to the environment, climate change is exacerbated by deforestation with dire consequences on humanity and livelihood.

“The confiscated charcoal and timber will be auctioned by a committee under the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry,” he added.

He warned that, illegal tree felling remains prohibited in all nooks and crannies of Kebbi State, and appropriate sanctions will be applied on violators.

Tungulawa further disclosed that Governor Nasir Idris has approved a scheme introduced to provide land and tree seedlings to timber merchants to grow trees for raw materials for their trade all season.

He added that, money will be provided to them as capital under a compassionate loan agreement that requires the merchants to repay 60% while the government will shoulder 40%.

On Forest Guards protecting the forest reserves, the commissioner explained that their number was inadequate.

He lamented that unfortunately, some unscrupulous elements amongst them were conniving with trespassers to embark on illegal felling of trees for monetary benefit.