Desert encroachment: Damaturu ring roads get trees

All the planted trees which are mostly neem have been protected with barb wires to avoid destruction by stray animals.Speaking with Kanem Trust in Damaturu, the Commissioner for Environment Alhaji Zanna Laisu called on the local people to desist from incessant failing of trees and urged them to plant more. He noted that the idea […]

All the planted trees which are mostly neem have been protected with barb wires to avoid destruction by stray animals.Speaking with Kanem Trust in Damaturu, the Commissioner for Environment Alhaji Zanna Laisu called on the local people to desist from incessant failing of trees and urged them to plant more.

He noted that the idea of planting trees round the ring road apart from the shade it would provide, would also helps in the beautification of the city.

According to him, “the rate at which people fell trees is quite unfortunate because it exacerbate the dangers of desertification” and noted that only massive campaign for tree planting by all residents and attitudinal change could solve the menace of desertification in the region.

He frowned at the attitude of immigrants who usually invaded the state and pick fire wood business as a source of livelihood only to leave the land bare.

The Yobe environment commissioner disclosed that he had set up a committee comprising all the traditional rulers, Imam, religious leaders under his leadership to tour all the seven Local Government Areas to sensitize the people on the benefits of planting more trees than falling them indiscriminately.

He maintained that if the 2.4 million population of Yobe planted a tree each year, the issue of realizing a shelter belt would be achievable in less than five years time.