Zulum Wields Green Hammer: N250,000 Fine, Jail Term for Tree-Felling, Refuse Dumping in Borno
By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri
In a bold move to curb environmental degradation, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State has signed two Executive Orders banning illegal tree-felling and enforcing monthly environmental sanitation. Offenders now face a fine of up to N250,000 and a two-year jail term.
Commissioner for Environment, Engr. Emat Kois, revealed the penalties on Thursday in Maiduguri during a press briefing on the enforcement of the new orders. He stressed that households and business premises must now ensure cleanliness and avoid indiscriminate refuse dumping, especially in drainage channels.
“Anyone found violating these orders will be charged to court, with penalties ranging from N100,000 to N250,000 depending on the severity of the offence,” Kois warned.
To support enforcement, the police, Civil Defence Corps, and Civilian JTF have been mobilized to assist in implementing the orders.
The commissioner decried the rampant felling of trees for firewood and charcoal and announced that the state government would distribute thousands of gas cylinders and briquettes to reduce reliance on wood-based fuel.
He further explained that tree-cutting at project sites or within communities must be approved by the Ministries of Environment and Justice, and that each tree felled must be replaced with two seedlings. These seedlings are to be nurtured for at least two years to serve as windbreaks and combat erosion, particularly along the Yedzaram and Ngadda riverbanks.
However, Kois identified poor awareness among community stakeholders as a key challenge to nurturing planted trees.
Adding to the state’s greening efforts, Director General of the Great Green Wall (GGW), Usman Aliyu, disclosed that over one million tree seedlings have been planted to fight desertification, with plans underway to raise an additional five million seedlings for distribution in northern Borno.
The executive orders mark a decisive step in Governor Zulum’s environmental agenda, aiming to restore ecological balance and ensure a cleaner, greener future for the state.
