Desertification: Borno Govt to plant 5 million trees in 2023 – Zulum
The Borno Government will plant five million trees in 2023 across the State.
Gov. Babagana Zulum made this known on Wednesday while presenting the 2023 Budget to members of the State Assembly.
Zulum, who lamented the delay recorded on this year’s tree planting campaign, said preparations have begun in earnest for the 2023 exercise.
“The State Government created the Ministry of Environment to proffer solutions to environmental problems ranging from deforestation, desertification, soil and land degradation, floods and soil erosion as well as solid waste management.
Read Also: Harvesting PVCs Details Not For Malicious Reason – INEC
“Mr Speaker, during the period under review, the Government distributed thousands of tree seedlings of assorted types to control desertification and restore the vegetation lost due to climatic factors.
“In addition, the Government undertook the free distribution of different seedlings to schools, communities and individuals to plant and protect the environment and improve the green culture.
“Mr Speaker, as a measure to stop desertification as well as provide wind breaks and shelter, the ministry of environment undertook the planting of trees at the Borno State University Teaching Hospital along Damaturu road in the State Capital,” Zulum said.
He also said that the ministry distributed “wonder boxes” (coolers) to women for cooking to discourage firewood use.
Zulum said the state government, in collaboration with the World Bank, assisted the NEWMAP project and undertook measures aimed at controlling flooding and erosion in Gwoza and the desilting and evacuation of drainages in Maiduguri and its environs in 2022.
He also noted that the Borno State Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA) conducted fumigation to curtail the outbreak of diseases such as malaria, cholera etc., across the State, as well as an approved new site for safe disposal of solid waste in the state capital.
Journalists reports that the governor, who spoke on livestock and fishery development in 2020, said his administration had undertaken routine vaccination of animals against preventable disease and renovated the international fish market as well as paid counterpart funding for livestock productivity and resilience support project of World Bank.
” As part of our livestock resuscitation programme and providing livelihood support to the vulnerable in the society, the Government, in collaboration with the UNDP, distributed over 3000 assorted herds of cattle and goats to returnee IDPs in Mafa LGA.
“The State in partnership with the Fedral Government is establishing Three Ruga Centres in the State,” Zulum said.
