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The Attah of Igala, D. Idakwo Ameh-Oboni II, has urged government at all levels to embark on continuous afforestation progrmme to preserve the environment.
The monarch made the call, in Idah, on Tuesday, when the State’s Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mrs. Rosemary Osikoya, paid a courtesy visit to the palace.
He advised the government to develop tree nurseries in all the local government areas across the state to make afforestation a continuous process as being done in advanced countries.
“The numerous benefits of afforestation include addressing environmental degradation, more especially desertification, deforestation, erosion and flooding as well as reducing the effects of climate change
“Most trees of our forest reserves have been turned into desert through deforestation thereby exposing the soil nutrients to sunlight and causing erosion.
“We are calling on government and the people to quickly embark on afforestation to enrich our environment; if neglected, the price of the negative effects would be too high to pay.
“Let us try and revive our natural environment for our benefit because we met them and we should not destroy them,” the monarch said.
Ameh-Oboni, who is also the President of Kogi Traditional Council, however, commended the efforts of the State Government for making the issues of environmental concerns a priority.
The traditional ruler urged the people to maintain clean environment, saying that they should adhere strictly to environmental laws, and avoid roadside trading for their safety and that of others.
In her remarks, the commissioner said that the government was committed to providing quality tree seedlings to farmers that have interest in establishing private plantations.
“Timber is the state`s third highest foreign currency earner, every house that does not have a tree should be ready to plant one as the planting season starts between May and June.
“By extant laws, nobody is allowed to cut down any tree without government`s approval; this will bring transparency and accountability to the process of benefit that is derived from the forest.
“Our target is to have 24 per cent afforestation of the state’s land mass; a little below the 25 per cent vegetation standard.
“So, this administration, led Gov. Yahaya Bello, is committed to sustainable utilisation of forestry, sanitation and waste management,” Osikoya said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the commissioner`s visit was part of government’s sensitisation and consultation campaign on environmental issues. (NAN)
