Bauchi State Government has frowned at indiscriminate felling of trees for timber and charcoal in the state, vowing to sanction and punish anyone caught in the illegal act.
The Acting caretaker chairman committee of Ningi local government area Honourable Saleh Kasko Nasaru made this known yesterday at the public auction of confiscated six trucks fully loaded with bags of charcoal held at Burra Community Of Ningi.
According to Kasko, the auction followed a magistrate court order issued to the local government council.
The six trucks carrying about 1500 bags of charcoal were confiscated at Burra community of the local government area in their efforts to sneak to Kano state between 15th to 22 February 2020
He said despite several efforts by the government in fighting the trend there is unscrupulous elements undermining such efforts, warned that through any means government would ensure the full protection of forest in the area beneficial to up coming generation.
The caretaker committee chairman who solicited support from the traditional rulers and stakeholders in the area to redouble their efforts in combating the menace, commended the effort of the state governor Bala Mohammed for his concern towards curtailing the act.
Also speaking, the district head of Burra, Alhaji Yau Shehu Abubakar noted that the act of feeling of tress in the name of timber and charcoal remains a treat to the community, expressing hope that
under the new administration in the LGA the bad culture would be fought and won accordingly.
Represented by Alhaji Shehu Yakubu, the district head pointed out that soil erosion, desertification and land degradation caused by indiscriminate felling of trees are some of the challenges facing the people of the area.
While calling on the state and the local governments to map out effective strategies to fight the trend, the traditional ruler assured his continued support and cooperation to the state government to succeed in all its policies and programs.
Some of the perpetrators caught with the loads confirmed that they are indigenes of Ningi LGA while others claimed they came from shim village in Toro LGA.
According to them, “we used to pass through burra with the charcoals because it is the easiest way for us to reach kano state”.
