Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, has launched his administration’s second phase of tree planting project aimed at addressing over four decades loss of its forests.
The programme which began last year, the governor said was aimed at planting one million trees each for four years.
According to him, already, over one million trees have been planted during the 2019 campaign.
Governor Inuwa stated in Wajari, Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area of the State during the launching of the year 2020 tree planting campaign that his administration is committed to planting no less than a million trees every year.
“During the past four decades, it is estimated that we have lost between 65% and 96% of our entire forest cover, largely due to firewood and charcoal extraction, agricultural expansion and urban growth, amongst other factors”, Inuwa said.
The governor further noted that as a result of years of unabated deforestation, Gombe state has lost exotic indigenous trees and animal species, witnessed dangerous disruption of carbon and water cycles and loss of livelihoods, especially in rural communities that depend directly on those resources.
The governor lamented that Gombe is one of the frontline states that are threatened by rapid desert encroachment.
According to him, available evidence has shown that about two-thirds of the entire State is facing various forms of land degradation such as desertification, deforestation and other negative effects on agricultural productivity leading to declining crop yield.
He however assured his Government’s determination through the Gombe Goes Green (3G) project, to Combat land degradation and rehabilitate degraded lands, mitigate the negative effects of climate change in communities, restore biodiversity by growing indigenous tree species that are facing extinction and providing critical habitat for wildlife regeneration.
Inuwa pledged his government’s resolve to also promote sustainable development, improve livelihoods and enhance economic stability especially in rural areas.
“We will strive to secure the commitment of the Forest Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) to establish the Institute’s regional office in our state with a view to providing technical support to the 3G programme, beautify public places, reduce air pollution levels in our major cities and modify local climate in the State capital and other major towns”, he said.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Environment and Forestry Resources, Hussaina Danjuma Goje, commended traditional rulers in the state for sensitising and creating awareness on their subjects which she said has contributed to the success of the programme so far.
She said the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Manasseh Daniel Jatau, who is the chairman of the steering committee, had provided purposeful leadership while several organizations, NGO’s, CBO’s among many others rendered selfless service.
Project Coordinator of 3G project, Dr. Mu’azu Shehu, described the programme as the largest reforestation programme in the Northeast region and commended the State Governor for its smooth implementation.
While calling on the State Ministry of Environment and Forestry Resources to redouble its efforts in supporting the programme, he also urged for more commitment from the people of the State.
WikkiTimes reports that through the 3G initiative, 27,000 YESSO beneficiaries were directly engaged and tasked with the responsibility of watering and nurturing the trees that were planted in 2019.
They are being given a stipend of N7,500 monthly.
