The Jigawa state government has said it will deal decisively with anybody caught felling off trees or found in the act of deforestation of any of the shelter belts in the state.
The state Commissioner of Environment, Alhaji Ibrahim Baba Chaichai, stated this while inspecting Birnin Kudu and Andaza trees and seedlings nursing centers in the forests on Tuesday.
He stated that deforestation was a dangerous omen because it was sabotaging the efforts of the state government to tackle desertification. .
He said government will not take the issue of felling trees, especially those in the forests, cattle routes shelter , and game reserves saying allowing such criminal act will negatively affect the fight against desertification and erosion control embarked upon by the state government. He threatened to arrest and take legal action against deviants.
The commissioner stated that his Ministry has concluded all necessary arrangements for nursing millions of different species of trees for onward distribution free of charge to the people for planting in their houses and farmlands.
Also speaking during the assessment tour, the special adviser to Governor Badaru on Forestry, Alhaji Bala Sule Kila, urged the forestry workers to rededicate themselves for the service of their state.
He then assured them that the state government was ever ready to give security and boost their welfare in order to encourage them discharge their duty effectively and efficiently.
This was contained in a press statement signed by the spokesperson of the ministry, Comrade Zubairu Suleiamn Birnin Kudu, copy of which was made available to Blueprint Tuesday.