By Khadijat Saidu, Birnin Kebbi.
In an effort to minimize windstorm, flooding, desertification that has been a menace destroying many houses, farmlands annually in Kebbi, and as part of Afforestation and Environmental Sustainability Drive, One Million Trees have been raised and are ready for planting by the Kebbi State Government.
The Permanent Secretary State Ministry of Environment and Solid Mineral, Haj Fatima B. Umar disclosed this while speaking to newsmen in her office in Birnin Kebbi. She said sizable number of trees will be distributed free to farmers and members of the public for planting as part of Afforestation and Environmental Sustainability Drive across the state.
She commended Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu for his endorsement and support to the Afforestation Project by the ministry, emphasizing that such gesture will serve as the needed impetus towards sustainable environmental best practices in Kebbi State.
She also explained that 10million Naira have been expanded for thie project, and assured that the ministry will deploy all it’s available manpower to ensure adequate monitoring of the trees planting at designated places to protect and nurture them to maturity; most of the endangered tree species such as Tamarin, Locust, Baobab, Neem or margosa, and Eucalyptus are available free for distribution while few economic trees will be sold at subsidized rates to interested members of the public, she added.
She called on farmers and tree planting enthusiasts to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by the government to plant and nurture more trees to promote healthy lifestyles in the society.
