Follow Us on Google
From Agaju Madugba, Katsina
The Katsina State government says its policy on the environment has begun to transform the lives of citizens, especially through its enduring strategic relationship with the Federal Ministry of Environment.
Speaking on Wednesday at the opening of the 18th meeting of the National Council on Environment, Deputy Governor Faruk Lawal Jobe noted that the relationship has strengthened not only institutional synergy but also fostered national cohesion and cross-fertilisation of best practices.
According to Jobe: “We recognise the critical role of environmental sustainability in achieving growth and improving quality of life of our people.
“Consequently, the present administration has prioritised numerous initiatives aimed at combating desertification and promoting afforestation.
“Recently, the state Ministry of Environment raised and distributed 3 million seedlings of indigenous species of economic trees which were planted in areas regarded as worst hit by these problems.
“In addition, we encourage our farmers to practise Taungya farming system in our tightly secured forest reserves.
“In order to ensure effective environmental sanitation and good hygiene, we procured and distributed mobile environmental sanitation gadgets across the state which has greatly assisted in recording a significant decline in cases of cholera and other water- and airborne diseases.
“We have also effectively utilised our statutory ecological funds to construct and maintain drainage systems across our urban and rural communities which control recurrence of devastating flood and erosion.
“Similarly, we have implemented several key programmes such as the revitalisation of irrigation schemes, the distribution of solar-powered water pumps and farm traction equipment and inputs to farmers, in our effort to counter drought and ensure food security.
“Taking into consideration the arid nature of our environment, we established the Community Driven Environment Protection Initiatives and created the Katsina State Erosion and Watershed Management Agency (KEWMA).
“These efforts align with our broader agenda of fostering inclusive and sustainable development across the 361 political wards in the state.”
